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TRUTH, IN DEFENCE OF THE WORD OF GOD- 
VANQUISHING INFIDELITY. 



A VINDICATION 

OF THE 

BOOK OF GENESIS. 

ADDRESSED TO THE 

REV. WILLIAM BUCKLAND, D.D. 

PROFESSOR OF GEOLOGY, ETC., CHRIST CHURCH, OXFORD. 

WHEREIN HIS OBJECTIONS TO THE FIRST CHAPTER OF GENESIS 
ARE MET— THE STUMBLING STONE REMOVED— 

AND THE 

TEXTS IN THE THREE FIRST CHAPTERS FULLY EXPLAINED, 
IN THE SPIRIT OF THE WORD, 

FROM 

THE BEGINNING OF THE BOOK OF GENESIS, 

TO THE 

END OF THE REVELATION OF ST. JOHN THE DIVINE, 



REV. FOWLER DE JOHNSONE, 

WRITER ON" DIVINITY. 



" Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift."— 2 Cor. ix. 15. 



LONDON: 
R. GROOMBRIDGE, PATERNOSTER ROW; 

AND 

SIMPKIN AND MARSHALL, STATIONERS' HALL COURT. 



MDCCCXXXVIII. 






ENTERED AT STATIONERS HALL, 



PREFACE, 



Courteous Reader, 
When looking on works of Art which present 
scenes charged wi' the beautiful and sublime, do 
we not admire that most wherein the Author's 
Pencil relates the story true ? Methinks I hear 
the answer, Yes ! And as Truth in Beauty and 
Sublimity on canvass glows, so ought it to receive 
esteem : it is esteemed, but most by those whose 
bosoms are warmed by the divine spark that filled 
to overflowing full the soul whose offspring 'tis : 
thus it be, whether the effort has expressed the 
pleasing ; the beauties of nature ; or, the superior 
imaginative, illustrative of that on which the mind 
may exalted gaze while contemplating Holy 
Writ! 

An Author writing to the Public, when prepar- 
ing his volume for the Press, whether the Produc- 
tion be a link in the chain of novel, gay, or grave; 
desires the offspring of his mind may be received 
and entertained by an enlightened and generous 
People .... Surely then superior anxiety may 
live in the mind that is invited to publish Thoughts 
matured in Reflection's field, as acknowledged 



VI PREFACE. 



emanations from Him who inspired the Bible 
Page ! . . . . We see the towering Oak the 
Forest's pride, carrying high its lofty head, while 
its branches disregard the brier that presumptu- 
ously, vainly, proudly, seeks to climb, only to re- 
visit earth therein to fix a second root ; thus both 
seem unconscious that near them live the violet 
and the lily : the violet secluded in mantle green, 
rich exhalations yield : the lily robed in purity 
blushing the smiling dew of heaven, meeting th' 
expanding odour, breathes richer treasure : Hum- 
ble as the violet may this appear and its fragrance 
wi' the lily's odour mingle : tho' from the humble 
Eden breathed, let sweets therefrom delight the 
soul, revealing truths essential to her salvation ; 
guiding men while time may be, to prepare, to 
meet, Eternity ! 

Temporal things will soon pass: What then 
would it avail us were we acquainted with hidden 
secrets of Nature and the more profound know- 
ledge of Art, if we knew not God and the way of 
Life revealed to us by Jesus Christ ! ... In this 
probationary life human learning is distinguished as 
true knowledge only when it brings man acquainted 
with his duty to God, from the observance of which 
mingle and flow the duties to be practised toward 
himself and mankind ; it, therefore, all should 
seek as the superior wisdom, whence branches the 
saving streams to water and illumine the garden of 
souls, impregnating with celestial fire that, flowing 
from, guides them to, the fountain Sun wherein 
breathes to bloom eternal Spring. 



PREFACE. Vll 

In expressing truths opposed to thoughts in- 
dulged by learned men, I would that humility's 
Robe may shield me from nature's impassioned 
wave : and may the Source from whom man true 
wisdom learns, boldness with discretion mingle, 
that I may bear and forbear with steadfastness in 
humble Christian spirit, since, being invited to de- 
fend the Word, grateful I obey the voice of Mercy, 
Love, and Power, He whispers to the soul ! 

Had those who objected to the Bible Root, 
projected a scheme to vary any inferior writing it 
might have passed unheeded by : But when a 
cloud hovering presents to veil the precious truths 
my God to me has given ! and not to me only, 
but to mankind! The Bible's Spirit calling a 
Defender, a duty it became to move obedient to 
the voice that leads me to the field where, in th' 
Almighty's strength, may I stronger and stronger 
grow, while a bearer of the guardian shield I 
stand, to preserve his picture in the native glory ! 
. . . . \ I am not a party man : neither am I 
alone, for looking deeper and higher I see that 
He ! in whom I trust is with me ; and as it 
pleaseth Him to feed the soul with light, the 
heart must incline, the will is brought to yield, 
the reasoning faculty consenting, commands the 
organs active, causing the tongue and pen to ex- 
press the truths that, till now have stood and, 
must eternal stand. 

While vindicating the holy treasure honouring 
the Book of Books, awed by the important task, 
the soul filled with reverential fear presents the 



Vlll PREFACE. 

following pages to a Christian People, ' Without 
controversy great is the mystery of Godliness,' 
so, in controversy's calm, when breathing o'er 
the shadowed garden, truths that hidden lived 
present: Prepared therefore to entertain every 
approvable reasoning, let me be ; desiring only to 
be, by mankind received, as a man, with the im- 
perfections to which human nature is subject. 
If some call me singular, and others think me 
eccentric ; each shall find me sincere : I may 
move in a different orbit to that in which those 
wander whom I would see illumined in the field 
of Truth. — Should any think I enter not suffi- 
ciently into the subject matter Geology, I beg to 
remind them that having engaged to defend the 
Holy Bible that Word being with me, I may not 
be unprepared to entertain consistent controversy. 
No, it is because I deem it not in season, and 
therefore inexpedient to entertain that which at 
best is a subject of matter, when engaged in be- 
half of the Spirit Word, that the Book inspired by 
God and given to man, as the key to heaven's 
gate, may not be used as though it were a volume 
breathed by the father of lies and penned by his 
slaves. Receiving the truths therein revealed, as 
overflowings from the treasures of Immanuel's 
stream ; what may be written by me in defence 
of the same, will be worthy the Christian Thought. 
Then let my plainness, towards those with whom 
I differ, be regarded as proof of my sincerity ; 
while the shield and sword in me and mine pre- 
sent to chase material pestilence, even as the 



PREFACE. IX 

clouding torrent may appear to interrupt the 

Christian's Peace And should the winds 

of Heaven waft the Volume to distant climes, my 
prayer is that there, and also within these realms, 
the Reader may in the presence of the holy- 
spirit-Guide, compare its contents with the Word 
offered to man in the Holy-Bible-Page from the 
first verse of Genesis to the last of Divine Reve- 
lation ! And that He whose Light illumines im- 
mortal mind may cause this humble effort to 
direct those to whom the star of life is given, from 
the shades of error, that under His Governing 
Providence it may powerful prove, in repelling 
the serpent host of passions which so shadow the 
souls of men who fain would blot the Sacred 
Word ! So will our grateful soul delight to know 
that members of the Church of Christ esteem the 
same, and that it be deemed worthy the thought 
of those who shall be renewed to rejoice in Jeho- 
vah's unfading glory ! 

The Author. 

London, July 6, 1838. 



CONTENTS. 



PART I. 

Introductory Prayer. 

questions proposed by infidelity and answered by truth. 

" What is man?" 

" If the Bible be a book inspired by God, and written to 
guide mankind to heaven, how may the contents be understood ; 
and its divine authority traced to a foundation that is sure V 

" To me this Word a mystery is : I cannot see the glory that 
beams to you therefrom. How may man its beauty feel, and his 
bosom be warmed to love?" 

« Were not the men who wrote the Scriptures mortal ? And 
being mortal, may they not have erred?" 

" Is not the authority of the church raised above Scripture?" 
" If the Scriptures as the rule of religion, are plain and easy to 
be understood, why do learned men encourage heresy?" 
" Do the Scriptures suffer by translation ? " 
" Should all mankind be taught to read the Scriptures?" 
" If universal instruction, in reading and writing, benefit 
society, how is it that so many who are thus taught abuse the 
power knowledge gives, prove rebellious subjects, promoters of 
disorder, examples of depravity to others, and frequently commit 
offences for which they are taken to the criminal's bar, thence 
hurried beyond the grave to meet the Just Judge of heaven ?" 



Xll QUESTIONS PROPOSED BY INFIDELITY 

PART II. 

" Nature's God ! " 

" If the Bible is the book of God, cannot he preserve it from 
being defaced, and confound the schemes of men who conspire to 
cloud its glory, without the aiding voice of man ? " 

" May eternity be ascribed to matter?" 

" When learned men publish varying theories which are weak 
and unconvincing, because evidence is absent, where may truth 
be found?" 

" Shall I, this day, look on the Bible page?" 

" What effect has been produced by the declaration of the 
Reverend William Buckland, professor of geology, of Christ 
Church, Oxford : ' That a change has been judged necessary in 
the interpretation of the first chapter of Genesis, that treats of the 
creation of the world, and its organic creatures ? " 

" Is it not supposed Luther entertained ideas in accordance 
with those expressed by the Reverend Professor?" 

" The Bible page beams glory to you. From me : Does a 
vapour cloud the effulgence of its shining? But; if Luther 
acknowledged the received translation, why should he deem a 
transposition of the verses at the beginning of the Book expe- 
dient?" 

" When God said, ' Let there be light,' did light mingle with 
the darkness, that in chaotic night was felt, in the circuit of 
earth's motion?" 

PART III. 

"Elohim! " 

" Are all the works of creation subjects of God's Providence ?" 

" May we consider the Dog, the Horse, and other creatures of 
the brute families as having the power of retaining received 
impressions? Do they not possess memory?'* 

" How did earth first become illumined?" 

" What influence lias the sun in creation's Works within the 
bosom of the earth?" 



AND ANSWERED BY TRUTH. X11L 

" At what watch may we consider the computation of time 
began ? " 

" May not the term clay signify and include a superior portion 
of time to that we compute to be a day V 

" Why is evening named before morning ? Is it supposed the 
work of creation began in the evening?" 

" May not earth have lived in darkness ere illumined by 
light?" 

"Do men err who think this terrestrial globe was at first 
created a smaller body than she now presents : and that a supe- 
rior covering of the earth may have had place, at the period 
distinguished in the Word written by Moses?" 

" How may the twenty-seventh verse of the Book of Genesis 
be explained to meet the pronoun them in the noun man ?" 

" Can cause be shewn why learned men differ in the interpre- 
tation of the Scriptures ?" 

" Have Angels been from Eternity ? Are they created beings 
and real substances?" 

" May not the term Day imply a year, or a longer period of 
time ?" 

" Is there other evidence to favour what you have assumed 
with reference to the time constituting a day ?" 

PART IV. 

" Were not every day blessed and sanctified ?" 

" How may the sixth verse of the second chapter of Genesis 
be explained?" 

" Did man live when first formed before he received the 
Breath of lives?" 

" How are the natures of man to be distinguished ?" 

" Was the earth planted, and her important features defined, 
before man was created ?" 

" What was the Tree of Life in the midst of the garden ? — 
And how may we know the Tree of Knowledge of good and 
evil ?" 

" In the Prohibition, was not restraint laid on Mans Free- 
Agency ?" 



QUESTIONS PROPOSED BY INFIDELITY 



" How were the cattle and all the creatures brought befor 
Adam? And, How could he know the names adapted 
them ?" 

" May we suppose that Adam and Eve were in twin-form 
when first created — conjoined only by some vital material Part ? 
If not, How could Adam know, 4 she was bone of his bones, and 
flesh of his flesh ?" 

PART V. 

" Did the Serpent appear visible to the eye of sense, moving 
erect ; or, did the reptile, insinuating, curling, wind its way to 
Eve's notice playing among the flowers, grass, or branching 
shrubs? Or did he ascend the tree and gather fruit to tempt 
Adam's daughter?" 

" What kind of fruit may it have been, of which Eve and 
Adam partook when they sinned and fell V 

" And could the tree yielding such fruit be called good by 
God?" 

" In the command, ' Be fruitful and multiply and replenish the 
earth,' were not sensual pleasures sanctioned by God V 

" Since you admit connubial bliss was ordained by God, and 
the Law made known to man, in the Language of Life which 
spoke to the understanding : c How, when, with the offspring of 
his bosom, the daughter of his love, the partner of his joy, he in 
the fond observance of that exalting duty, was by natural feeling- 
conducted to the height of the most exquisite as inexpressible de- 
light of participated enjoyment ; how might the happy beings 
thus blest, thus enjoying, have known the line limiting the glory 
of the horizon ; to pass which was death ?" 

" Did God appear to Adam and Eve as a man when He passed 
sentence on them ?" 

" To whom did the Lord God speak when he spoke the word 
written in the twenty-second verse ? What is meant by ' Behold 
the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil ? Do not 
the words so used admit Polytheism, or sanction the doctrine of 
plurality of Gods ?" 

" How may we explain the latter part of the twenty-second 



)re 
to 



AND ANSWERED BY TRUTH, XV 

verse of the third chapter of Genesis, f And now, lest he put forth 
his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat and live for 
ever?" 

PART VI. 

" How was man driven out of the garden of Eden ? And 
what are the 0herubini9 and flaming sword, which turned every- 
way r 

" Where might the first of the Human Race find consolation 
in their fallen state ?" 

" What was the most afflicting consequence of the excess in- 
dulged I" 

" Did the earth continue the same after the Deluge as before 
the Flood?" 

" How may the spiritual Eden be known ?" 

" What is meant by the guiding-star ? And, How may the 
same be distinguished ?" 

PART VII. 

" May it be thought God would create enjoyments for man, 
place him in possession of them, and not sanction his taking 
thereof to gratify his own natural feeling, even as desire working 
in him might be moved to incline V 

" May it be supposed Adam and Eve fell on their nuptial 
day ?" 

Digression, Reference to a funeral Discourse, by the Author, 
from Job xix. 25 — 27. 

" Who inspired Job thus to speak ?" 

" What is implied in the words, ' Yet in my flesh shall I see 
God?'" - 

" Did the Messiah's sufferings afflict his Spirit ?" 

Man contemplated in a redeemed Creation ilium 'd by the 
Sun that calls to the Resurrection, and re-admitted to Glory in 
the Tree of Life ! 



INTRODUCTORY PRAYER. 



Omnipresent Three in One, Omnipotent Source 
of Light, Jehovah Lord God Almighty, of heaven 
and earth Creator ! humbly to Thee I look : unto 
Thee for holy aid I come. Father of Spirits and 
Fountain of Life, deign, I beseech Thee, to ap- 
prove of that wherein I now engage ; and from thy 
Spirit's fountain, whence the spring-tide of good- 
ness continually flows, breathe into all the soul- 
rejoicing smile. In me let thy presence reign ; 
from me thy truth effulgent shine in the light of 
conviction's power. Holy One of Israel ! come 
strengthen the mental vision that I may see, in 
glory's calm, the treasures of thy field. More and 
more bring men to adore Thee, creation's Lord ; 
let their grateful offsprings revere and honour the 
Bible page, in which, unto us, Thou hast given a 
faithful sketch of the perfect picture, a key to 
Christ, our Head. While we are guided to search 
the inspired volume, breathe, oh ! breathe in the 
soul, a superior portion of thy spirit-refining fire, 

a2 



4 INTRODUCTORY PRAYER. 

that from its purifying overflowings I may the 
spirit of wisdom drink, and exalted live by the 
redeeming influence of the soul's bright morning- 
star. Feed the lamp within us kindled with the 
oil of Jesus' love, and further our endeavours thy 
glory to promote, so shall the knowledge of thy sav- 
ing truths, more and more expanding, on earth and 
seas unceasing spread ; until time may into eternity 
drop. Let me, strong in thy strength, more than 
conqueror prove while defending thy cause, that 
Christ's kingdom may receive the honour due, 
and thy children's labour obtain the reward of 
their Creator's smile. Heavenly Physician ! open, 
I pray Thee, every vein, increase the flowing of 
every stream, when the pulse pants to bathe in 
the ocean of truth, and let our efforts convey a 
refreshing dew to the soul that would live with 
Thee ; let thy love fill this heart, and so swell the 
spirit's vigour that I may defend thy Book in lan- 
guage which proclaims the peace its Author gives, 
to rejoice all who revere Jehovah's Word, and 
do thy holy will. Preserve those who, in reli- 
gion's peaceful calm, seek the pardon offered ; fill 
the soul's receptive garden ; within us wield thy 
flaming sword of light ; around us extend thy 
almighty shield ; defeat the tyrant sin, and chase 
the prince of evil ; so may death and hell be con- 
quered, and sinners who have listened to the voice 
of life ; blissful joy in salvation find. Be pleased, 
Almighty God, to bring those who in shadow 
wander from the dungeon of slavery, to seek the 



INTRODUCTORY PRAYER. 



lamp that illumines the way through the Re- 
deemer's flowing fountain, feeding and crowning 
the glorious day-star, that, given from on high, 
shines in prophetic splendour, to guide all unto 
Thee, our Father ; Rock ; and Refuge. Grant us 
grace to interpret thy Word. Let, what thy 
Spirit may guide us to speak and write, be felt as 
arrows shot from thy almighty bow, to dispel the 
shadows that cloud the minds of those who exist 
in the midnight gloom of unfelt misery. With thy 
presence, Lord, refresh the spirits of all who love 
to meet Thee in the Holy Bible page ; guard thy 
servants on the celestial way ; and, in the power 
of love divine and mercy mild, visit those who 
thirst to drink salvation's streams ; bring them to 
seek the soul-invigorating light of life, issuing from 
the cleansing flood Immanuel bled on Moriah 
Mount, when infinite love brought him to die the 
death of the cross for Adam and for us, to redeem 
the human race, that mankind, whom thou didst 
create in thy divine image, may be restored to 
inherit thy glory, and walk in the path wherein 
the immortal essence may live, draped in the light 
of Jesus' love, crowned with immortality. These, 
with every other blessing, it may please Thee to 
bestow, Eternal Three in One, of Thee we ask, in 
the name of Him through whom we are invited to 
approach Thee, our Tree of Life, in the spirit of the 
Word, as taught by the Redeemer, who said — 
" When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in 
heaven, hallowed be Thy name : Thy kingdom 



6 INTRODUCTORY PRAYER. 

come ; Thy will be done on earth as it is in hea-> 
ven. Give us day by day our daily bread, and 
forgive us our sins ; for we also forgive every one 
that is indebted to us. And lead us not into 
temptation ; but deliver us from evil, for Thine is 
the kingdom, the power, and the glory, for ever 
and ever. Amen." 



A VINDICATION 



THE BOOK OF GENESIS. 



PART I. 



" Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, 
after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after 
Christ." — Col. ii. 8. 

" Keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and 
vain babblings, and oppositions of science, falsely so called ; which some 
professing, have erred concerning the faith. Grace be with thee — Amen." 

1 Tim. vi. 20, 21. 

ARGUMENT. 
INFIDELITY objecting to the first chapter of Genesis, re- 
jects the Word of God, and meditates a varying of the same 
to suit the views of geologists. Truth takes up the re- 
jected Word ; meets the objections, and defends the Bible's 
glory. 

Truth, in the garden speaking : " Hail lovely morn ! 
Birds delighted, grateful, chaunt their matin song of praise ; 
all unite to acknowledge the Great First Cause. Flowers 
arrayed with glories of the sun-beam, glowing, smiling 
beauties new, expand the bosom wide, and thirsting, 
drink the liquid fire from Sol's life-giving flow ; the medium 
way through whom, in sweet peaceful silence, they pure 
exhalations yield ; to greet the reviving smile of their boun- 
tiful Creator!" 

Attracted by creation's work, Infidelity appears wrapped 
in his shading mantle, and listening to the voice, whispers 



8 A VINDICATION OF 

to himself, — " What ! a stranger in the field to oppose me 
and my legion : Surely had not that I spoke been received 
as true, some friend — at least, one among them, I know, 
would have shewn to me how erroneous were the views we 
entertain of the account Moses has written of the creation. 
Shall I remain in the field? No, I'll retire. But why 
should I ? Though I have no desire to contend with him, 
yet, his voice seems to secure my presence here; and, 
draped as I am, none will recognize me. Besides, though 
my voice shall not be heard, questions, as flowing from me 
may he suggest, then, that I know not I shall learn ; and 
surely the reproof of one will be more than counterbalanced 
by the greetings of the multitude, who, delighted, listened 
approving of what I made known to them : And who is 
this ? or what is man — that I should fear being vanquished 
by him V 

Truth. " Man a creature was ; Man a creature is, 
created by the word Jehovah, to be God's vicegerent on 
this earth. A Being in whom matter and spirit lives, in a 
body and soul united. A Being that erst was, and now is, 
affected, and also governed, either by sensuality or spiritu- 
ality, even as the disposition of his soul may cause the will 
to incline. When the soul of man is influenced by the spi- 
ritual sensation that flows to him in an emanation from 
Jehovah, then will he rejoice to know, and knowing, 
love and fear Elohim, Omnipotent, All in All ! from whom 
issues the springs of life whose Spirit Word ; the Bible is. 
The grateful heart will then be by conviction taught that 
the Lord, in his spiritual essence divine; will acknow- 
ledge only those who worship Him in spirit and in truth : 
Man christianized then will feel that now, free from life's 
refreshing day-spring, through Holy Jesus' cleansing foun- 
tain flows the redeeming luminary, bearing the spirit star 
that drapes the Christian's soul in the robe of love celestial, 
feeding her every faculty with intellectual light, that she, 
while gazing on. nature may ; commune with nature's God ! 






THE BOOK OP GENESIS. V 

" Likewise man will know, that an inferior spirit there also 
is, a tyrant prince, in shadows dwelling, who, when man 
prefers to be his slave, is permitted to exhale from his 
clouded dungeon a gloomy veil, wove by sin, to bind the 
soul in unfelt anguish; and drape her spirit in the garb of 
unconscious woe : the favourite robe of hell. But the veil 
of darkness, first by Satan chosen, Christian spirits re- 
ject: moving distant from that broad guilty way, strong 
in Almighty strength, they, thirsting only to drink of the 
fount that feeds with knowledge true, delight to honour 
the sacred field where, in due time, the shadowed herbage 
grew : So should men draw near the garden of God, where 
salvation's tree is planted and blooming from the Eternal 
rock, wherein is Christ our Head, through whom, to the 
souls of his redeemed is sent • the Spirit of truth the Com- 
forter. Would to God all men revered the Bible page, as 
the golden key that guides to Paradise by the Re- 
deemer opened to those who spiritually receive his Record 
true : that they would wield the sword of the Spirit with 
which the Word is armed, and grateful to their God, 
humbly enter the heavenly field, praying that they may 
illumined be, and guided by Jehovah's light, to enjoy 
the sacred treasure. — A wonder indeed is man to man, 
wonderfully displaying the power and wisdom of Jehovah 
God Almighty. 

" When man retires within himself to contemplate the for- 
mation of the foetus in the womb, and to consider that there 
are above six hundred muscles, having about ten distinct in- 
tentions each, that consequently about the muscles alone, 
no less than six thousand ends are to be promoted ; and that, 
in the human figure, there are about two hundred and 
eighty-four bones, the distinct scopes or intentions of each 
of which being above forty, in all are about twelve thou- 
sand. Considering that thus it is with all the other parts, 
as the skin, ligaments, vessels, and humours, but more es- 
pecially with the several vessels of the body which do, in 



30 A VINDICATION OF 

regard of the great variety and multitude of those several 
intentions required to them, greatly exceed the homoge- 
neous parts, and above all, to reflect that within the crea- 
ture formed of these distinct parts is an immortal soul, a 
spirit un tangible, an essence invisible, hovering in the fluid 
life to distinguish the being of whom I speak, — can we 
thus contemplate man, and not look to the Creator, say- 
ing, ' Lord, I will give thee thanks, for I am fearfully 
and wonderfully made ; marvellous are thy works, and that 
my soul knoweth right well. Thine eyes did see my sub- 
stance yet being imperfect, and in thy book were all my 
members written/* A breath to man, thou, O God, hast 
given, with power to think, understand, judge, reason, 
choose, and act, and these, in faculties branching from the 
soul, are fed by thy Tree of Life, whence men true know- 
ledge derive, and, by using which, they celebrate thy 
praise, although the finite mind is unable to express the 
mighty acts of thee, O Lord ! Yet with the Psalmist man 
may rejoicing say, ' O Lord, how wonderful are thy works; 
in wisdom hast Thou made them all ; the earth is full of 
thy riches.' 

" The names in Holy Scripture by which the Great First 
Cause is distinguished, are — First, Jehovah, from the 
Hebrew word, signifying an eternal independent Essence, 
having his being from none, and giving being to all creatures. 
2. Jah, a contract of Jehovah, denotes a Being eternally 
subsisting of himself. 3. Eheje, derived from the same 
root as Jehovah, and signifies an eternal and unchangeable 
Being, with whom there is no variableness nor shadow of 
turning. 4. The Greek word denoting Lord or Governor, 
answers to the name of Jehovah, and imports that God is 
an absolute Lord, having power and dominion over all 
creatures in heaven and in earth, and that in his Providence 
he governs them as seemeth to him good. 5. The Greek 
word that denotes God, leads us to consider him as a Being 

* Psalm cxxxix. 14. 16. 



THE BOOK OF GENESIS. 1 1 

omnipresent, beholding and observing all things ; giving 
life and invigorating all the works of creation. 6. El sig- 
nifies fortitude and power ; and in reference to the holy 
God, it infers that he is most powerful; able to do whatso- 
ever he pleaseth. 7. Elohim is attributed to God as the 
Creator, Governor, and Almighty Judge of the world ; and 
signifies the holy essence in God united. 8. Shaddai also 
is used as signifying that God is omnipotent, a Being 
whose power none can resist, able to enrich us with all 
blessings; gracious and waiting to answer prayer, ready to 
give all good to those who worship him in spirit and in 
truth. 9. Helion signifies most high, denoting that God 
is high above all, infinitely exceeding all creatures in glory 
perfection, and power. 10. Abba, signifying Father, is a 
title attributed unto God Almighty, because he hath given 
being to all creatures ; his Providence sustains them there- 
in, and careth for them, even as he careth for men and feed- 
eth them as children, when they live obedient to his law, and 
walk in the light revealed in Christ's gospel truths, whose 
glory confirms and crowns the Word Jehovah's Spirit to our 
fathers gave, as emanations from him, flowing through his 
faithful rivulets, to refresh the weary pilgrim, to guide the 
stranger in the path ; and conduct the thirsting soul of the 
way-worn traveller: to enjoy everlasting rest." 

Infidelity. " If the Bible be a book inspired by God, 
and written to guide mankind to heaven, how may the con- 
tents be understood ; and its authority traced to a foundation 
that is sure?" 

Truth. " The Holy Bible being the book acknowledged 
by our Lord Jehovah, the same to us declares his will, as by 
his Holy Spirit breathed through the medium of his chosen 
servants, whose souls were spiritualized, and draped with 
light and glory, which emanated from their Creator, to 
whose rock the sacred truths are traced ; whose eternity was 
firm ere time began : and will eternal stand. This Bible 
holy being the Book of Books, as the Sun of glory in the 



12 A VINDICATION OF 

spiritual firmament of learning, to man beams forth con- 
soling rays, and with stars of comfort feeds the Christian's 
soul ; teaching knowledge true : from its pages heavenly 
wisdom flows, to meet the glory descending from on high ; 
where the Author of its spirit is in glorified majesty brighter 
seen. Jehovah's immediate light, by his command, in- 
spired holy men to reveal the great things of his divine law 
in the written Word, that the same might be with greater 
confidence received, and that the sacred page transmitted 
should be, to the most distant climes and ages of the world, 
for the benefit of mankind, until time shall to eternity cede 
the glory that in its pages live ; that from its verses glow. 

" The part of Holy Scripture, called the Old Testament, 
containing the acts and movements of the Church of the 
Lord Jehovah, from the creation, almost to the coming of 
Christ, makes known to us the truths He to our forefathers 
revealed : the divine laws by him enacted : the devotions 
paid by his people : the prophesies given by his spiritual 
prophets : and the events which concerned his chosen 
people, are, by God's servants, distinguished as a perfect 
sketch of the glorious picture the Redeemer came to finish, 
and is called 'The Bock of the Generation of Jesus Christ,' 
who came to unveil the shadowed mysteries that from his 
Holy Spirit flowed, and, to prove that Record true, He sealed 
the same with his spiritualizing blood j that Adam's chil- 
dren might meet their God. 

" The Almighty, having in eternal counsel, divinely fore- 
seen, provided as pre-ordained, that chosen men should be 
inspired to write and speak, as his Spirit gave them utter- 
ance; so, at the times and seasons decreed, He, the divine 
legislator, draped the sacred penman's soul in the Spirit of 
his glory, that the faithful servant should a herald be, to 
proclaim Jehovah's will to man, wherein we have the path 
of duty so clearly marked, that those who search the Scrip- 
tures, if by the Holy Spirit taught ; need not wander from 
the illumined way that leads to life eternal. In his Word 



THE BOOK OF GENESIS. 13 

to man, God hath showed what is good. In the power of 
omnipotence ; and knowledge infinite : the Great First 
Cause, foreseeing what man would need, provided for his 
wants. In return, therefore, what doth the Lord require of 
his favoured creatures, but to do justly, to love mercy, and 
to walk humbly with God. As a bountiful parent, in this 
his Holy Word, Jah hath to man revealed his will : herein 
is the rule of our obedience, and God doth not require that 
men should in anywise do contrary to his will revealed « 
but whatsoever Jehovah hath in his Word commanded, it 
is man's bounden duty to observe, and not to turn aside to 
the right hand or to the left. 

" To understand the truths the Word of God reveals, men 
should, by faith and prayer, ask the Author of its spirit, in 
mercy, to wield his flaming sword, and chase the man of 
sin, that the mental eye may be opened to behold the star 
of immortality, which ever beams divinely bright to feed 
the soul with life, for, while the mental eye by sin's dark 
cloud is veiled, the saving lamp that burns within, the sinner 
cannot view, because of Satan's fume of death j that hovers 
before the way : wherein the light of glory lives that guides 
to eternal day." 

Infidelity. " To me this Word a mystery is: I cannot 
see the glory that beams to you therefrom. How may man 
its beauty feel, and his bosom be warmed to love?" 

Truth. " Great is the mystery of godliness: yet, the light 
that lives in Jehovah's Word, was not given that it should 
hidden burn; God gave it that Adam's children may all 
enjoy the spiritualizing streams of life which illumine the 
sacred page. But mankind, to whom this word is given, 
humbled at their own nothingness, should feel themselves 
dependent on the mercies of their bountiful Creator, and in 
spiritual prayer ask superior strength from Jehovah's source 
of omnipotence, to move in the heavenly way, that stronger 
and stronger they may possess Faith, the substance of 
things hoped for, the evidence of things the mortal eye 



14 A VINDICATION OF 

cannot behold, but which the Christian's spiritual vision is 
guided to contemplate, as flowing from the Fount of Glory, 
by whom the soul's guiding star is fed in the celestial sun- 
beam, that waters the tree of life in man ; whose fruit, when 
matured in Jehovah's spiritualizing Sun; is ripe for im- 
mortality. 

" Faith exalteth men to believe the worlds were created 
by the Word of God, and that things which are seen were 
not made of things which do appear. But, without faith, 
man cannot approach the Holy Invisible One, whose Word 
proclaims,* the peace that springs from Him: neither can 
the mortal eye understand the truths creation's field pre- 
sents. The mental vision must illumined be, ere man can 
in holy calm enjoy the present, and gaze into Jehovah's 
love, where the Fountain flowing Divinity reigns, inspiring 
infant angel spirits : who are fed by their Father's glory. 
As faith in the heart grows strong, so will men the wisdom 
learn, that teaches them to revere the treasures given in the 
Word, whose riches then to the mind present: and the 
bosom fire more ardent burning, being fed with the oil of 
redeeming love that purifies the soul, they will continual 
thirst to drink refreshing life from the eternal flow of 
truth, whose waters fill with knowledge true, in wisdom, 
that teaches man to know himself, to examine what men 
are, and to secure the treasure that exalts the humble 
Christian, in the light of intellectual dignity ; which is not 
the imaginary phantom of fancy's dream, that flits in 
shadow : but a substance yielding consolation divine to 
prepare the soul for bliss. Unless thoughts like these, and 
superior desires enrich the mind, men will reject what may 
be said or written in defence of the Word of God. The Holy 
Bible's adversaries see not the streams of light that adorn the 
sacred page, and therefore may oppose them still; yet, be- 
ing guided by the Fountain Source, though the fiend's sha- 
dowing torrents swell, the rivulets that issue from life's 
perennial flow, will continue to increase in strength, and 



THE BOOK OF GENESIS. 15 

gentle prevailing spread : inviting thee, O man ! to con- 
template in thyself the deformed image of thy Maker! 
revering Him who created and breathed in thy nostrils the 
breath of lives ; remembering ever, that within thy clouded 
bosom the breathing of Divinity lives, and although un- 
perceived by many, because of sinful shadows that hold 
their spirit prisoner, there is attendant in the form of dust, 
a soul redeeming star, in effulgent splendour shining, feeding 
on its immortal flame waiting there, prepared to illumine 
the immortal essence ; and to guide her on through Im- 
manuel's purifying fountain : to blissful realms of joy. 

"Drink then from Jesus' knowledge true, so will ye know 
yourselves, and in spiritual freedom trace, the way from the 
soul, to the soul's eternal home. 

"Then, with reverential awe and holy fear, men will esteem 
the Word of God, wherein Jehovah's Spirit lives. When 
thus prepared to enjoy the sacred treasure, they will not in 
thought, desire, word, or deed, offend the sacred page, but 
revere the verse that breathes the glorious attributes ema- 
nating from Elohim's nature holy, as a treasure in truth, 
whose foundation is the Rock of Ages, watered by the 
fountain of infinite wisdom; breathing to sinners the 
fruit of life and peace. Thus the light of heaven, living 
therein, and beaming therefrom, will unto men in glory 
radiant shine. The consolation it yields will be acknow- 
ledged by all ; and God's Holy Bible seen in perfect beauty 
of the outline given in salvation's faithful sketch, where, in 
sacred sublimity, truth's unvarnished and never-fading 
glory crowns, in the bee/inning, by Moses written, thence, 
through the celestial air breathed by the holy prophets, 
and the pages where Immanuel's Glory brighter glows, 
unto the end of divine Revelation. 

" The Christian's gratitude is warmed when breathing 
o'er theWord Jehovah's Spirit inspired, and his servants de- 
light to proclaim the truths revealed ; inviting all to embrace 
the robe of light that drapes the believer's soul : giving 



16 A VINDICATION OF 

beauty to the form of dust. Pray we therefore that 
those who have erred stray no more, nor shadows' 
alluring phantom pursue : convinced and converted, may 
every wandering sinner be by the Holy Spirit working. Illu- 
mined may they live while under the tuition of the heavenly 
Teacher, contemplating the sublime field where once 
celestial glory mingled with terrestrial calm, on the earth 
that now sighs in clouded air ; by the shadow of sin op- 
pressed. 

" Advancing in the heavenly way, it will appear that the 
books of the Old Testament, written by holy inspiration, 
were by the Jews divided into three several classes ; the 
first comprehended the five books of Moses ; the second, 
all the Prophets ; and the third, those writings which the 
Jews called Chetubim, the Greeks, Hagiographa, or books 
written by holy men, whose souls being less capacious, re- 
ceived not such fullness of the overflowings of Jehovah's 
Spirit : thus dividing them, they reckoned five books in the 
first class, eight in the second, and nine in the third, in all 
twenty-two, according to the number of the letters of their 
alphabet, and were thus considered as comprehending 
all necessary to be known and believed, even as the num- 
ber of their letters did all that was required to be said or 
written. 

" And the Holy Bible having its spiritual force from the 
pre-ordained death of the Testator, the Lamb of God 
slain from the foundation of the world, is called a Testament 
or Covenant. 

" That part of the Old Testament, called the Penta- 
teuch, or 'five books of Moses, the chosen servant of the 
Most High, and a type of the Prophet, Priest, and King 
who visited this world in the Holy God-Man, the Author 
of our salvation, are considered to be the most ancient 
writings extant. The book of Genesis seems to have been 
written in the wilderness, after Moses had been in the 
Mount of God in spiritual conference with the Divine Law- 



THE BOOK OF GENESIS. 17 

giver, who inspired and commanded the faithful penmen to 
write the same. 

" Genesis, a name from the Greek, signifies the original or 
generation. In the book of Genesis is given a history of 
originals : therein is an account of the creation of the world, 
and of the giving of life in the beauty of light and glory ; 
also of the unholy embrace in sin, which admitted death 
in Satan's hideous deformity. Distinguished likewise, we 
see the invention of arts, the rise of nations, and an inter- 
esting account relating to God's acknowledged Church, 
and the state of that Church in the early ages of the 
world. It also is a history of the generations of Adam, 
Noah, Abraham, and others, whose genealogies present in- 
struction to delight. And this, with the other books of the 
Old Testament, were by Christ and his Apostles acknow- 
ledged to be by God inspired, therefore have they been, 
and still are received as such by every Christian. 

" But the Apocryphal books, though read for example of 
life and instruction of manners, are not applied to establish 
any doctrine ; because the writers of them are not con- 
sidered to have been so fully inspired by Deity, and there- 
fore the Church of Christ has never accounted them to be 
so divine and spiritual, although the Popish council held 
at Trent adjudged them to be so. 

" The books of the New Testament known and acknow- 
ledged to be of Divine authority, were received from the 
Apostles by the primitive Christians, and they are now ap- 
preciated by the Church of Christ, as breathing emanations 
of Jehovah's Spirit to the soul of every believer. 

" It so pleased the Creator in God, thus mercifully to 
reveal his will in the luminary that announces the herald of 
peace, beaming through the inspired Word, in which the 
Divine Author gives us the perfect rule of the Christian 
religion : Authority in sufficiency and perspicuity, con- 
stitute that rule, which, being perfect and infallible, proves 



18 A VINDICATION OF 

it to be of Divine authority, and sufficient to direct us in 
all things necessary to salvation. 

" Were the Scriptures not plain and perspicuous in the es- 
sential matters of faith and practice, for all, who delight in 
truth, to search and understand the same, it could not be 
a complete rule to man. But God being the author of 
the Holy Scriptures, they, with the aid of Deity's Spirit 
by whom the writers were inspired, are sufficient to direct 
men in all things necessary to salvation ; and when, illu- 
mined by that sure guide, men search the sacred page, the 
instruction through them conveyed appears plain and 
easy to be understood, so that therein we find a perfect 
rule of faith and life, by practising which the wisdom flow- 
ing from salvation meets us, we are soon surrounded by, 
and bathing in its streams—moving through the interced- 
ing Mediator to walk with Jehovah our Creator. The 
Holy Scripture being the rule of our religion, its first pro- 
perty is authority, and as the authority of any writing de- 
pends upon its author, the Bible being of God, in whom 
lives the fountain of Deity, its authority is proved divine. 
All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profit- 
able for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction 
in righteousness : That the man of God may be perfect, 
thoroughly furnished unto all good works.* 

" Moses and the Prophets, whom the Lord inspired to re- 
veal his will to man, wrote the Old Testament as instructed 
by the Spirit of Truth : for the prophecy came not in the 
old time by the will of man, but holy men of God spake as 
they were moved by the Holy Ghost.f 

" The books of the Old Testament being committed to the 
custody of the Jewish Church, that Church carefully pre- 
served and faithfully transmitted them to posterity, and 
the sacred writings received by the Jews into the canon of 
Scripture, were by Christ and also by his Apostles, acknow- 

* 2 Tim. iii, 16, 17. f Luke xxiv. 44. John v. 39. 46. 



THE BOOK OF GENESIS. 19 

ledged to be of Divine Authority. Deity in the God-Man 
approved of all things written in the law of Moses, 
and in the predictions of the Prophets. The Holy 
Psalmist breathes the glowing emanations of Jehovah's 
Spirit. The Redeemer cited the Scriptures in confirmation of 
the doctrines he in Helion's wisdom taught. Paul, speak- 
ing of the Jews' prerogative, saith, < Unto them were com- 
mitted the oracles of God,' # and, that ' the Holy Scriptures 
received by them were given in divine Inspirations ;'f so in 
their disputations with the Jews about religion, they con- 
stantly adhere to the Scriptures, proving by them the truths 
they taught. St. Paul, strong in the Spirit of Omnipo- 
tence, in the presence of Agrippa, bears witness to all, say- 
ing none other things than those which Moses and the 
Prophets did say, should come : that Christ should suffer, 
and be the first that should rise from the dead, and that he 
should shew light unto the people, and to the Gentiles.;}; 
And because the Holy Scriptures were approved by the 
Jewish Church, and acknowledged by Christ and his 
Church, faith guides us to believe the Word of God to 
be so firmly founded on, and centered in the rock of truth 
and light of glory, that sin cannot move it, that Satan 
cannot blot it, though mountains monstrous may be hurled, 
though stumbling-stones as deadly clouds may be exhaled 
to shadow heaven's beauty ; that divinely fair therein is 
draped in life's immortal robe ! 

" The same Spirit of light which emanated from Jeho- 
vah's essence, inspiring Moses and the Prophets, also moved 
and taught the Apostles, by whom and by whose special 
direction the books of the New Testament were written. — 
To them, as the Lord's chosen, from the Almighty Father 
through Christ was sent the Holy Ghost, the Com- 
forter, who taught them all things, and brought all things 



* Rom. iii. 2. f 2 Tim. iii. 16. J Acts xxvi. 22, 23. 

B 2 



20 A VINDICATION OF 

to their remembrance which the Saviour had said unto 
them ; # arid thus were they guided into all truth by the in- 
fallible assistance of the Holy Spirit who taught them to 
deliver the fundamentals of faith and practice. Had they, 
when publishing the Gospel, not been preserved from error, 
men might not have known the truth. 

" But the holy I AM, by whom they were inspired and 
taught, knowing, from eternity, it was meet they should 
be infallible in revealing the saving doctrine of Christi- 
anity, that there might be an infallible rule to direct his 
church in all matters of religion, protected them in the 
holy illumined way, where the erroneous spirit could not 
appear ; because of his shadowed deformity. 

u What the apostles preached, concerning the Christian 
faith, they confirmed by the miracles they wrought ; thus 
each appeared proving the other, convincing mankind they 
were the chosen inspired by God, and that him who ac- 
knowledged them approved of the doctrine they preached/* 
Infidelity. "Were not the men who wrote the Scrip- 
tures mortal ? and being mortal, may they not have erred ?" 
Truth. " The holy men who wrote the Old Testament, 
and also the inspired writers of the New, were mortal, and 
might have strayed from truth, had they permitted the 
spirit of shadow, that is exhaled by the prince of darkness, 
to cloud their souls, binding them with the cords of slavery 
and death : had their love for the unrighteous mammon of 
this world surpassed their love to God, Satan, the father 
of falsehood, would have governed within them, in dark- 
ness brooding, and there suggesting lies; Judas, only, 
carried the bag, it was he that proved the traitor : but the 
men who wrote the Holy Scriptures were, by Jehovah's 
Spirit, borne above the world, being inspired to write the 
Word of God. Within their souls reigned the Spirit of 
truth, to whose influence the will obedience yielding, 

* John xiv. 26. 



THE BOOK OF GENESIS. 21 

knowledge from the eternal Source, illumined and fed their 
lamp of power, and the soul's capacity continuing to en- 
large in spiritual things, their mental vision increased in 
strength, they in holy calm enjoyed the fountain Source, 
from whom, through them, flowed the truths they delighted 
to proclaim ; therefore have these Holy Writings been ac- 
knowledged by the church, in the spirit of every Christian 
soul, as the Word of Him ; whose Essence is divine. 

"Those who are strangers to Christian duties, profess re- 
gard for the Word of God, because the church has defined 
the same to be sacred, without feeling conviction wrought 
in them by the influence of the Holy Spirit who inspired 
the same; to them the purer joy is clouded. But the 
Christian, when searching the Book of God, feels the 
witness within him, in the internal testimony of the Spirit 
that called the writers, and commanded the Scriptures to 
be written ; in breathings of almighty love : thus the ardour 
and zeal of the holy writers sympathizing with the soul of 
the renewed heart of the Christian, proves the Record true ; 
and, overflowing with joy, mankind embrace the shadow- 
chasing ray, their minds being convinced that the sacred 
Scriptures were inspired by him who cannot lie : — the 
church of Christ sought not, desired not, had not, hath 
not, nor ever will desire authority to define any other books 
to be the Word given by man's Creator, but those which 
were by holy inspiration commanded to be written." 

Infidelity. " Is not the authority of the church raised 
above Scripture ?" 

Truth. " No, that cannot be : because the determination 
of the church has not power to vary the nature of any 
writings, or to make books which are not divine of equal 
value to those inspired by Deity. The ministers of 
Jehovah's truths cannot convince their hearers that the 
Scriptures are the breathings of his Holy Spirit, by preach- 
ing and declaring that such is the Word ; for though the 
people may hear, and incline to believe, evidence more 



22 A VINDICATION OF 

powerful than the feeble voice of man is required, to stamp 
conviction in the mind, and this evidence is given, by God y 
to all who seek him faithfully, in the spirit of truth, that 
convinces and converts the soul, brings her to know the 
truths living in the Bible; guiding to the light of the 
Gospel page, where she meets Jesus* love ; in Jehovah's 
glory. Then the sympathy by which men are distinguished 
as Christians, is alive to meet their Maker in his Word : by 
faith they are guided to see the only sure foundation ; and, 
building thereon, they receive the Holy Scriptures as writ- 
ten by men whom God inspired to reveal his will, in 
holy emanations, flowing from his source through them to 
mankind : the books of the Holy Scriptures being left 
upon record and delivered ; Christians are convinced there 
were such men as the sacred writers who wrote them and 
with the books of the Old Testament gave them at the 
beginning to be preserved by the Christian church : and, 
therefore may men vouch for all that is therein recorded, 
and believe them to contain out-pourings of the Almighty's 
Spirit, as inspirations beaming from him through man to 
man : the church received the Scriptures, adding nothing 
unto them, withholding nothing from them, which was in- 
spired by Deity, in whose light they lived, and whom they 
delighted to serve ; had any so presumed, the presumption 
would have been rebellion against the Almighty throne : 
and destructive to the rebel. The tradition of Christ's 
church is the first means of believing the Scriptures, 
but the authority of the church cannot be raised 
above the Scriptures, because the church does not pre- 
scribe the rule of Scripture, nor procure divine 
authority to it. Christ, the author, inspired the rule, 
having called holy men to write the sacred doctrines for 
man's good, and his glory; of these truths his church 
bears witness, and the tradition of the church of Christ 
being sufficient to persuade men the truths were written 
by divine inspiration, they require not the testimony of 



THE BOOK OF GENESIS. 23 

any other church to convince them of the divine authority 
of the sacred Scripture, since that depending on, proceeds 
from the Spirit of the Eternal God, who inspired the men 
who wrote them, they being those whom the Lord had 
chosen to proclaim his truths for the benefit of mankind : 
that believing, all might in humility approach to meet his 
smile ; and therefore it is the duty of Adam's race, to re- 
ceive the books of the Old and New Testament as divine 
inspirations, in holy instructions given to man • wherein 
the will of God, the founder of his church, is in the light 
of truth revealed. To enjoy the glory of the inspired 
Word, man requires a knowledge of the nature of God, that 
he may be able to distinguish his Spirit's overflowing ; 
unless the kindred flame of sacred fire which taught the 
holy writers, be kindled in the soul, men cannot perceive 
the truths that from their verses flow, revealing Jehovah's 
will ; but when the influence of God's Holy Spirit distin- 
guishes them, then will their spirit-eye be open, and look- 
ing on truth in light, they will rejoice to behold the cha- 
racters of divinity imprinted in the sacred Scriptures, pre- 
senting the higher reasons: then will conviction, supe- 
rior to what tradition alone could produce, guide the mind 
to esteem and love the Scriptures Holy; proving they are 
the Word of God : in breathings of salvation. 

" It behoved the men of Samaria to believe in Christ, be- 
cause the woman told them of him, and what he had said 
to her : but when they heard his own discourse, their faith 
increased ; their belief became more firmly grounded. 

" Some who are strangers to his glory, receive the Holy 
Scripture as the book of God, wherein He reveals his will 
to man, from a sense of duty. But when men are guided 
by the Holy Spirit working in them, to search the Scrip- 
tures, their souls' best feelings mingle with their spiri- 
tuality, and bring them acquainted with their divinity. 
Then, though the testimony of the church must be revered 
as a human proof, that assures men the Holy Scripture is 



24 A VINDICATION OF 

given of God ; the pages of Holy Writ themselves pre- 
sent higher evidence of their divine authority, in soul- 
rejoicing breathings emanating from Jehovah's love ! 
Men therefore receive the Scriptures with a divine faith, 
because their faith is in harmony with the nature of the 
testimony on which they believe. If the testimony was 
human, it could produce only a human faith : but the 
testimony being divine ; faith resting on that testimony is 
divine also. And as the sacred Scriptures give the perfect 
rule of religion, therein is sufficient to direct men in al} 
things necessary to life eternal ; # even as the Gospel is the 
power of God unto salvation, to every one that believe th,f 
in the Holy Scriptures God hath revealed his whole counsel 
concerning salvation, and hath kept back nothing that is 
profitable to man. 

" Thus, in the book inspired by God, may be distin- 
guished the perfect rule of faith and life, that is sufficient to 
lead men into all truth, when they are guided by his Holy 
Spirit to search the sacred page. A new supply of 
doctrines then is not required, and nothing in language can 
show man the way to salvation's fount, save what is con- 
tained in the written Word, or deducible from the Book of 
books; and whatsoever may be introduced or offered as a 
substantial part of religion, if not in spiritual harmony with 
the written Word of God, such, far from being a necessary 
truth, is expressly forbidden. If any man, or an angel from 
heaven, shall preach any other Gospel than that which 
Christ and his apostles have delivered, let him be ac- 
cursed :J and if any man shall add unto the Holy Scrip- 
tures, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written 
therein : and if any man shall take away from the Holy 
Scriptures, God shall take away his part out of the book 
oflife.§ 

"The fallible spirit of papacy presumes that the Holy 

* 2 Tim. iii. 16, 17. f Rom. i. 16. 

X Gal. i. 8, 9. § Rev. xxii, 18. 19= 



THE BOOK OF GENESIS. 25 

Scripture is not a perfect rule of faith without tradition; so 
the Council of Trent, sess. 4, decreed, * That the doctrines 
of the Gospel, contained in the written Word, and in un- 
written traditions, whether appertaining to faith or man- 
ners, are to be received and honored with the same 
reverence and holy affection as the books of the Old and 
New Testament.' — This is an unwholesome doctrine, to 
which Christians will never subscribe, for it speaks not the 
truth that flows from God. If unwritten traditions were 
admitted as part of the rule of faith, and esteemed equal to 
the written Word, it would offend the sufficiency of Scrip- 
ture, and open a way for every error to be brought into the 
church with authority ; so that, any thing the church 
might declare as a matter of faith founded on tradition, 
however irreconcileable with the Word of God, must then 
be embraced as a divine truth : therefore, having the 
written Word, unwritten traditions all Christians reject, as 
dangerous and destructive to the never-dying soul. Sur- 
reptitious traditions so introduced, agreeing not with Holy 
Scripture, though by many fondly and blindly nursed, are 
impious and highly offensive to the Lord Jehovah, whom 
the Christian delights to fear. They therefore may not be 
entertained ; i In vain do men worship God if they teach 
for doctrines the commandments of men.' * God is a 
perfect lawgiver ; in his written Word, He hath prescribed 
man's whole duty : and if men speak not according to the 
law and to the testimony of the Word, it is because there 
is no light in them.f * Search the Scriptures/ saith 
Christ, ' for in them ye think ye have eternal life : and 
they are they which testify of me.' % Abraham unto the 
rich man saith, i they have Moses and the prophets, let 
them hear them.'§ 

" The Messiah appealed to the Scriptures of the Old 
Testament, — to Moses and the prophets, as the- perfect 

* Matt. xv. 9. t Isa. viii. 20. 

% John v. 39. § Luke xvi. 29. 



26 A VINDICATION OF 



1 



rule of faith. He and his apostles confirmed their 
doctrines by them; but neither He nor they entertain 
or acknowledge tradition. # Jehovah's Holy Spirit in- 
spired the apostles to commit the doctrines of Christianity 
to writing, that the same might to posterity live, mani- 
festing God's love to mankind ; and though many things 
which our Saviour and his apostles did and said, are not 
written, all that is necessary to salvation appears in the 
written Word, when men live obedient to God's whis- 
pering voice of love, who invites them in the luminary of 
his Holy Spirit's light, to search the sacred Scriptures: 
but unwritten tradition, that hath not sufficient warrant 
from the written Word, men are not authorised to impose 
or offer, as a fundamental of religion ; but when assembled 
to worship Almighty God, it their duty is, in all things, to 
follow the example presented to them by those who are 
members of the church of Christ Jesus, the foundation 
stone, their head, and crown of glory : thus, with religious 
reverence, observing the things he has commanded, suffer 
not the introduction of a new doctrine or practice ; since a 
church cannot illumine with truth, or cloud with falsehood, 
that which is not so in its own nature. Men cannot make 
a luminary an article of faith, or a shadow an heresy, 
which is not in its own nature light or dark. And what- 
soever was necessary for Christians to believe and practise 
in the earlier ages of the world, is still required of them ; 
and will be : while time moves on his way to the mighty 
eternal ocean. 

"Jehovah, in his written Word has, to mankind mer- 
cifully, revealed the divine mystery, in matters of religion. 
The faith delivered to the saints is, and ever will remain 
the same ; each soul therefore, should join in the church 
of Christ, and uniting, embrace the Spirit in the Word of 
Life, wherein is met the heavenly herald proclaiming 
peace; to whom all should reverence pay, and wholly 

* Acts xxvi. 22 ; xxviii. 23, 



THE BOOK OF GENESIS. HI 

reject the vain traditions of men; which so offend the Spirit 
of God; and expose human folly." 

Infidelity. " If the Scriptures, as the rule of religion, 
are plain and easy to be understood, wh y do learned men 
encourage heresy ?" 

Truth. " The Holy Scriptures being perspicuous and 
easily understood in all things necessary to salvation, 
Christians rejoice and revere the inspired Word. But 
those who are not by grace elected members of the church 
of Christ, cannot understand the saving truths the book of 
God reveals. Every regenerate Christian is guided, and 
intuitively taught therein, by the effluence of Deity's love, 
that has unveiled the mental eye, and draped the soul, in 
glory beaming from the same eternal source, whence the 
Word illuminated is, to be a lamp unto their feet; and a 
light unto their path. As the Scriptures are now enter- 
tained by the church of Christ, they are found to be pre- 
cious to the soul ; and the holy mysterious volume was not 
given to remain a sealed book. The Word of the Lord 
could not be a lamp unto men's feet, or a light unto their 
path, if it was not intelligible. But, all who as yet 
remain insensible to its glorious voice, should learn that 
the sacred page being the Word wherein the Saviour 
lives, those who do not perceive the influence of Deity 
breathing within them; cannot meet Jehovah's Spirit in 
his Word. None but heaven-born kindred spirits can 
meet in holy spiritual sympathy. Christians commune 
with their kindred spirit through the Word, by Elohim 
given to precede the gospel picture ; wherein sinners see 
Christ the Redeemer reigning : over death and hell tri- 
umphant. 

" Heresy is encouraged and nursed by men, who, slaves 
to inferior passions, are strangers to the light that guides to 
truth ; thus alienated from the luminary of the Word, they 
neither feel the Bible's spiritualizing power, nor understand 
the truths its sacred silent voice proclaims. The Holy 



28 A VINDICATION OF 

Scriptures were by some misinterpreted, and by others 
rejected, in the early ages of the world, as now, by men 
who indulged erroneous views of Holy Writ ; some, regard- 
ing the Book of God as a cunningly devised fable, enter- 
tained the sacred page with heart corrupt and soul en- 
slaved, while sin in death suborned their will, to favour the 
plan devised by hell, to offend the Spirit of God, blushing 
not to pervert the law of life given by Jehovah, to be the 
soul's celestial guide. Others there w r ere, and still there 
are, who, preferring the unrighteous mammon, would fain 
annul the inspired Word, and for earthly dross; barter 
Christ and bliss eternal ! Thus contagion spreads around, 
interrupting the flow of Christianity, mocking true religion; 
depopulating the earth. Such heretical doctrine from 
Satan ascending, is inhaled by, and issues through his 
agents, who, unacquainted with the knowledge that exalt- 
eth, in the presence of Omnipotence, would be perverters 
of His Word. The Bible being the Book of books, the 
foundation of all learning, therein lives knowledge emanating 
from Deity to sinners offered, that all who receive the 
same, may inherit the glories purchased with the price 
paid for man's redemption ; let none, therefore, longer en- 
deavour to array the shadow falsehood in truth's effulgent 
robe of light. 

" By the influence of the preserving Spirit that reigns 
within their souls, those Christians in whom faith is strong, 
see the illusion, but the weaker servant of God trembles at 
the shock ; and many unawakened sinners, though well 
disposed, are unconscious led astray, distanced from their 
refuge, and too frequent fall deeper and lower in Satan's 
clouded gulf; where eternal woe is brooding to destroy. 
Guided on to death are they by men whose thoughts, de- 
sires, words, and deeds, like offsprings of mental blindness, 
are engendered by the prince of shadow ; in those the 
avenues of whose souls open to admit sin's poisonous tor- 
rent ; zealous that its baneful effluvia may pass through 



THE BOOK OF GENESIS. Z\) 

their intellectual darkness ; to afflict and sink the spirits of 
those whom Christ in God would raise to glory." 

Infidelity. "Do the Scriptures suffer by translation?" 

Truth. " No. If the translator be able and faithful, the 
Holy Scriptures do not in spirit suffer by being translated. 
By translation all human writings are weakened ; but the 
book inspired by the Eternal is an exception ; because, the 
Bible being the volume wherein and through which Jeho- 
vah reveals his will to man, Omniscience, whose Spirit 
is the author, from eternity, knowing into what lan- 
guages and tongues it would be translated, provided for 
that purpose, adapting His Word to the work it is given to 
promote ; in the merciful redemption of mankind. 

" The Holy Scriptures given by God to be read, examined, 
and revered by all his people, were first written in the 
tongues which were best known to the church, that they 
might be universally read to the edification of his children, 
as a manifestation of his love and glory. 

" The native language of the Jewish church being He- 
brew, the Old Testament was written in that language, 
and delivered to the church. So at the first publishing of 
the Gospel, the Greek tongue being most known to the 
nations, the New Testament was written in that tongue ; 
and those editions only which were inspired by Jehovah, 
being authentic, are to be received as the Word of God. 
By them, illumined witnesses may examine and render 
all translations faithful. The original languages not 
being understood by the majority of the people, all of 
whom have a treasure in the Scriptures, they should be 
translated into the language and dialect of every kingdom 
and people, that all may be taught to read and brought to 
know their duty to God, to themselves, and to their fellow 
men. In the received translation, the divine beauty in the 
sublime spirit of the originals is faithfully preserved, and 
men perceive and enjoy the same in proportion as the soul 
may live exalted, be her receptive garden the more or less 



30 A VINDICATION OF 

capacious. To profane divine worship by speaking in an 
unknown tongue, is not the working of the Spirit that is 
true ; and now, as in the primitive times, prayers and all 
parts of holy worship should be celebrated in the language 
known to the people, that every one may unto the Al- 
mighty pray, and praise Him with their fullest powers; 
not like the unchristian communion, who yet remain un- 
awakened, lukewarmly slumbering on the trembling cloud 
of shadow, whose vapours from Satan's gulf exhale ; to 
offend the purer air that breathes in Christ's redeemed. 
Supplicants cannot know how to address, or what to ask 
of the bountiful Jehovah, if they understand not the lan- 
guage they use. Men's conscience cannot yield to faith 
in prayer, unless they know what they ask of Him to whom 
they pray ; none can know whether the Lord is praised or 
not, if the words spoken be unintelligible ; ' If the trum- 
pet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself for 
the battle ? So likewise ye, except ye utter by the tongue, 
words easy to be understood, how shall it be known what 
is spoken? for ye shall speak into the air.' 'For if I 
pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my 
understanding is unfruitful.' " # 

Infidelity. " Should all mankind be taught to read the 
Scriptures?" 

Truth. "Yes. Since the Holy Scriptures reveal to man 
the will of God ; from them men learn what their Creator 
requires them to believe and do, that serving him, all may 
live in peaceful light while here below, and secure the 
righteous crown in the kingdom of Christ; walking with 
him on earth : to reign with him in heaven. The blessed 
Book containing the perfect and only rule given by God to 
guide mankind unto himself, every human being ought 
early to be brought acquainted with, and guided to under- 
stand that Word, wherein is found the universal guide, that 
high and low, rich and poor, may established be in Jeho- 

* 1 Cor. xiv. 8. 9. 14. 



THE BOOK OF GENESIS. 31 

van's truth; and know his will divine. The God who 
created the heaven and the earth, and all things apper- 
taining thereunto, required his people to hear the law, and 
to read the law themselves,* that they might know their 
duties, and in serving him, save their souls alive. The 
Redeemer saith, ' Search the Scriptures/ &c. &c. St. 
Paul saith, ' Let the word of Christ dwell in you 
richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one 
another in psalms, and hymns, and spiritual songs, singing 
with grace in your hearts unto the Lord.'f Addressing 
Timothy, he says, i And that from a child, thou hast 
known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make thee 
wise unto salvation, through faith which is in Christ 
Jesus.' % Instruction, therefore, should be communicated 
as medicine to heal the soul, issuing from the spiritual 
Physician ; the source of all good : living in the fountain of 
glory. By being instructed and taught to understand the 
Scriptures, children feeling the truths therein revealed, 
learn to know their God, and when searching the sacred 
page, rejoice to meet his parent Spirit there. Their love for 
Jehovah's word more ardent pants within the infant soul, 
because it reveals to them the knowledge that springs from 
the fountain of life, to illumine the heavenly path of peace ; 
guiding them as angels : to the haven of bliss." 

Infidelity. " If universal instruction, in reading and 
writing, benefit society, how is it that so many who are 
thus taught abuse the power knowledge gives, prove re- 
bellious subjects, promoters of disorder, examples of depra- 
vity to others, and frequently commit offences for which 
they are taken to the criminal's bar, thence hurried beyond 
the grave to meet the Just Judge of heaven ?" 

Truth. " May He whose sun illumines the earth, whose 
Spirit awakes the slumbering soul, beam his golden arrow 
of love, in the power of redeeming grace, with compassion 
glowing, and mercy mild, therewith lift the veil which 

* Deut.vi. 7, 8,9; and xxxi. 11. 12.31. t Colos. iii. 16. J 2 Tim. iii. 15. 



32 A VINDICATION OF 

clouds the spirit-eye, that you, and all may clearly view 
the inspired life-breathing feature, true ; be brought to 
revere the faithful sketch wherein Christians in glory meet 
the Word, Creator, Redeemer, Jehovah, All in All ! the 
perfect finished Picture ! 

" Those persons who would withhold instruction from the 
mind of the infant, or the adult, prefer darkness to light, be- 
cause their desires and deeds are evil ; even as those who, 
with Satan joined, rejoicing, would, were it possible, in 
oblivion bury the Book of God, and with pollution blot the 
Almighty's throne ; because, when the Holy Bible presents 
to thought, the sword of conscience strikes them; when 
opened in their presence, on it they cast a trembling glance, 
then reject the sacred page. Speak to them, they declare 
themselves free, even while in the net woven by sin ; uncon- 
scious of being in fetters ; suspended in their own imagina- 
tions, they dance in shadowed air ; some presuming that the 
children of humble parents ought not to receive instruc- 
tion ; many lukewarm or cold, have thought the souls Jeho- 
vah loves, unworthy their attention ; others look on them 
as slaves to their avarice and passion. So have sins of 
commission pressed to prevent the cultivation of the mind, 
and the diffusion of Christian knowledge : while sins of 
omission have sustained the unholy pressure, because 
erroneous impressions dark, have filled the minds in 
whom Satan engenders such unhallowed feelings, diligent 
have they been in the service of the unrighteous master, 
though impotent have their efforts proved, while seeking 
a prop to support the shadowed theory, that with 
clouding vapours fill the receptive garden of their souls. 
At moments the spirit in them active would say, 
i knowledge gives power/ But their mental eye while 
veiled, cannot see the glory that lives in light, and there- 
fore being unacquainted with the good true knowledge 
brings, they misconstrue the sense, perceiving neither the 
nature or the power of the knowledge, whose fruit is life 



THE BOOK OF GENESIS. 33 

eternal, not knowing their own souls, they could not, can- 
not understand that the souls of others should be taught 
to know, their Creator, their derived resources, and the fa- 
culties which from her fountain branch, illuming to illume. 
Could they but for one hour quit the gloom of earth, and 
live in Christian light, the errors indulged would dark ap- 
pear ; they then would see the offence committed against 
the Almighty, and the offsprings of his Spirit's breathing ; 
then would they, humble, revere the Holy Bible in the 
standard planted by Jehovah as given to all mankind, 
and feel that the Word rooted is in the Rock of Life, from 
whose streams flow the rule prescribed by Israel's God ; 
that all may drink the living water issuing from the 
immortal Tree, in the spring-tide of salvation ; even as 
Immanuel's fountain unto Adam's children continual 
bleeds redeeming grace. Then will they acknowledge the 
soul does not live while insensible of her being, that she is 
dead in sin if ignorant of the Holy Spirit working ; being 
alienated from the Lord of life and glory. 

" When the soul is taught to know her spiritual nature, 
and to appreciate her powers, a superficial glossary of in- 
tellectual education, that often distinguishes mankind m 
this world, will not be sufficient to satisfy her thirst ; but 
she will feel her faculties cannot be exercised aright, if not 
active to secure the riches of eternity : her desire then will 
burn with ardour to receive the instruction that has re- 
ligion for its basis, the Bible for its standard, glory and 
heaven for its reward. If moral and religious instruction be 
not imprinted in the mind, the soul must remain uncon- 
scious of her power to do good, or the nature of her glory. 
While strangers to the rule of life, God in his Word pre- 
sents to man, they cannot know the Spirit within them 
hovering, nor distinguish their spirit's governing Spirit, 
be it dark or light ; or the superior faculties to them given, 
and therefore neither man nor child can their powers into 
action bring, to promote either the good of beings in spirit 

c 



34 A VINDICATION OF 

allied to themselves ; the glory of their Creator : or drink 
from his overflowing cup of bliss. — When taught to read, 
and brought to understand the Scriptures, both children 
and men perceive the end to which they must look, and 
for which they were created : then, conscious that the su- 
perior Spirit breathes desire in their soul, whose branching 
streams send forth correcting light in power, not to inter- 
rupt peace, but a power that checks and governs the in- 
ferior passions, preserving reason, in the soul's illumined 
throne ; and thus unto society does benefit flow through 
their intellectual streamlets, conquering Satan's power; 
limiting corruption's rage : preserving religion's calm. 

" But, alas ! how great is the number distinguished in 
society, from the higher to the lower links of the chain, who, 
all branches from Adam's tree, have been educated, without 
their minds being directed to the end, the privilege should 
guide them to attain. They have been taught to read the 
Scriptures inspired by Jehovah, but their teachers have 
omitted to instruct them in the rule of life the sacred pages 
prescribe ; thus has the balm of love, that flows from God, 
through His Word to man, remained in glory veiled, un- 
perceived by them ; so that the holy Bible has been felt 
like a dreary winter's slow passing cloud, that left them 
not the star of consolation ; because their minds were not 
prepared to distinguish the spring-tide bloom, the maturing 
summer sun, and the autumnal fruit of immortality ; in the 
divine picture living: from the holy pages breathing. The 
cultivation of the soul being thus neglected, men existed 
so, and yet are moving in misery, strangers to the influence 
of the Holy Spirit light ; able only to entertain such ideas 
as the agent of darkness suggests, to inflame the passions 
of corrupted nature. 

" So have they gone forth, brandishing weapons, 
disturbing the peace of others, increasing the preva- 
lence of crime in the whirlpools of disorder, and involving 
themselves in overwhelming misery: whereas, had the 



THE BOOK OF GENESIS. 35 

moral and religious principles been inculcated when the 
intellect was taught, the mental field would have been en- 
riched; the lamp of life would have presented illuming 
the faculties of the soul ; morality and religion have been 
esteemed and loved : moral and religious duties, observing, 
they would have seen the path wherein to walk, serving 
God aright ; using the power he ordained, should from in- 
struction spring, in the spirit of Christian freedom, that the 
subtle fiend of darkness might receive a fall, whene'er he 
might assault the soul, where erst the throne of Deity was. 
The instruction approved by the Creator is that which 
brings his creatures acquainted with the rule of life his 
Word makes known, that they may commune with the 
Holy Spirit. He who made them, wishes all should drink, 
pure and unmixed, the glories of his enlightening streams. 
The bountiful I AM caused the Word to be written that 
his children may enter the garden where the tree of life 
blossoms immortality ; and walking in its light press for- 
ward to win the prize of their high calling which is in 
Christ Jesus : that, being instructed in wisdom's way, they 
may enjoy the sun of the soul, that within her spirit efful- 
gent shines, to calm the Eden of dust, holding all in sub- 
jection to reason ; promoting peace on earth : guiding- 
exalted thoughts to heaven. When their teachers so in- 
struct, the effluence of Him whose Spirit feeds their thirst, 
inclines the young as well as the aged, to drink the living 
streams that in the Bible flow, draped in the Redeemer's 
precious blood ! crowning the Holy Book with the spirit- 
ualizing glory that breathes from the gospel picture ! Moral 
and religious instruction thus communicated, is accompa- 
nied with Jehovah's blessing; both then centre in the 
mind, to preserve the young, and influencing the souls of 
all, disposing them to a faithful observance of their duty to 
him who created them ; to themselves, and also to man- 
kind ; the vicious way they then will shun, and virtue's 
path esteem and love. So will the Watchmen, whose duty 



36 A VINDICATION OF THE BOOK OF GENESIS. 

it is to guard morality and religion, in the field of calm 
reflection see, that unless the people all receive moral and 
religious instruction to crown intellectual education, they 
cannot their duties know, nor faithfully serve their Maker ; 
also, that as Scriptural truths are taught them, so will their 
recipient souls more exalted grow : thus more and more 
advance in grace. Faith will increase, hope establish, 
charity will contentment crown; men serving Him, they 
may thus be taught to fear, will honour those to whom 
they look ; and receive the reward of Jehovah's smile in 
soul-refreshing dew: that feeds the grateful spirit with 
the cordial of love divine !" 



A VINDICATION 



THE BOOK OF GENESIS. 



PART II. 



u But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall 
be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, 
even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift 
destruction." — 2 Pet. ii. 1. y 

" For this they are willingly ignorant of, that by the word of God the hea- 
vens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water." 

2 Pet. iii. 5. 

ARGUMENT. 
TRUTH in the garden drinking glories that flow from 
nature's day : — Truth. " Poetry ! daughter of heaven ! 
in the Creator ! thou divine didst breathe, where'er his 
glory shone, in his dwelling was thy abode, his Eternity 
thy power : the angel host who in glory attend around 
the throne of God, are by thy sacred fire warmed, to 
chaunt the living Word : emanating from Elohim ! This 
garden thou dost visit, communing here with kindred 
spirits, feeding in them thy torch, then visiting angels in the 
way, to Him thou dost return." 

Infidelity is seen loitering. Truth advances to meet 
him. 

Truth. " Well met : Fair morning this, to those who 
enjoy the beauties of nature, and from her look up to 
nature's God !" 

Infidelity. " Nature's God !" 

d2 



38 A VINDICATION OF 






Truth. "Yes. God whose Word reveals to man the 
riches of his love ! He whose will is to men made known 
in the holy Bible page, inviting them to quit the shades 
of death and rise in life eternal. But sinners cannot know 
this love, until they revere the Word, that makes known 
Jehovah's law." 

Infidelity. " If the Bible is the book of God, cannot 
he preserve it from being defaced, and confound the 
schemes of men who conspire, to cloud its glory, without 
the aiding voice of man?" 

Truth. " The holy Bible being the Word wherein God's 
Spirit breathes, he, Jehovah Omnipotent, is able to preserve 
the sacred page without human aid. He does and will 
defeat the dark designs of all who rebel against his will 
and offend his Word, but, it is Jah's good pleasure, to send 
forth man and through his instrumentality repel the ar- 
rows that Satan's slaves may shoot from their tyrant 
master's bow. God's permissive Providence suffers men 
who will not hear his voice, to pursue an evil course and 
to glory in a presumptuous mad career nursing phantom 
shadows in clouds prolific with sin and death, willing 
slaves to the tyrant prince they serve : because unholy in- 
dulgences are natural and peculiarly congenial to clouded 
minds, who neither see the beauty, nor feel the force of 
truth. Moving in darkness they indulge conduct sha- 
dowed with deathly hue, till the object they in sin had 
sought, to them seems within their grasp, when, to arrest 
the progress of the destroying torrent, God bids his arrow 
pierce, the idol bubble bursts : immediate dark projected 
schemes sink engulfed in folly's dream ; leaving the pro- 
jectors in three-fold deeper shadow with those who reject 
the voice of Love that calls them unto salvation's fount, to 
bathe in Jehovah's glory ! And this they do while Satan's 
offsprings revere the name of Him whose Spirit inspired 
the Word, and trembling dread his frown. It therefore 
may not be thought that the Author of the Word wants 



THE BOOK OF GENESIS. 39 

power to protect his glory : it is the Spirit of the Word 
that sends man into the field to defend the Bible page. 
In the Word Eternity lives, and the Spirit of Eternity is 
God, in whose strength, when the bulwark of salvation is 
assaulted his servants unbosomed appear, to honour the 
sacred Book, and with the Holy Spirit's arrows advance, to 
guard the Citadel where eternal treasures live." 

Infidelity. " May eternity be ascribed to matter ?" 
Truth. " No. Eternity may not be ascribed to mat- 
ter ; matter was created to live in time : we therefore are 
not warranted in ascribing to it qualities experience con- 
tinually proves it does not possess. As a finite being, 
man may, when considering the nature of things, without 
wandering beyond the line reason and God prescribes, 
read volumes of evidence, that the instinctive and animal 
world, must necessarily have had a beginning; and, to 
suppose a never-ending series of creatures would be, to 
indulge profane atheism." 

Infidelity. " When learned men publish varying 
theories which are weak and unconvincing, because evi- 
dence is absent, where may truth be found?" 

Truth. " The Book of Genesis that gives an account 
of the creation, is a history, breathed and sustained by 
God. Every feature is holy, bearing the stamp and seal 
of truth ! It is distinguished in the glory of Jehovah, and 
preserved by Him who created, the heaven and the earth. 
The essential Cause of the creation of which it treats is the 
holy and true God ! — Creation being the work of God 
demonstrates his existence ; For his pleasure all things are 
and were created. # The Lord made heaven and earth,f 
&c, and keepeth truth for ever: and by Him were all 
things created,;}; &c. Surely then it is the duty of those 
who have wandered from his righteous way, to turn and 
seek the Lord, with souls repentant, humble in prayer 
asking, that they may be guided by his Holy Spirit, to 

* Rev. iv. 2. f Ps. cxlvi. 6. J Col. i. 16". 



40 A VINDICATION OF 

embrace and search the Scriptures, wherein is truth in the 
power of light omnipotent, to subdue the stubborn heart, 
and plant enthroned in the soul to shine God's free and 
all-sufficient grace, that gives power, to subdue the evil 
daemon host ; guiding the mental eye, to adore the paren- 
tal Source, whence the Christian combatant has strength, 
to wield the sword that victorious proves, when defending 
the Bible's glory, by the great Elohim to man's thought 
committed, in the written Word !" 

Infidelity. " Shall I this day look on the Bible 
page ?" 

Truth. " Jehovah's lamp illumines the way, so in thy 
presence, the Book of Books is open ; and may He, from 
whom men true wisdom learn, bring them, to pray that 
the arrow of life bearing the star of freedom in mercy 
mild, may free their captive souls, and cause them, to seek 
the spiritual good, purchased for man with Jesus' blood, to 
restore the sinner to peace and God ! — But, ere men enter 
the field that was called from chaos night, to breathe in 
nature's day, their spirit-eye should contemplate Eternity ! 
ere time began ; before this terrestrial garden furnished 
was, by the Word emanating from the Great First Cause, 
whose Essence divine inspired the truths Moses his chosen 
penman wrote ; thus guided by His light, enjoy they will 
its refreshing streams, and proclaim the Record true ; per- 
ceiving the spiritual meaning of the Word, they will be 
guided to receive it with the finished Picture where Imma- 
nuel is holding forth the sceptre of forgiving mercy, 
inviting sinners to look up and obtain the pardon they 
may receive; while He, the Holy One saith, Come, ye 
wanderers, come into the field of life ; your Creator now 
saith come. While the Spirit gives vital motion to the sin- 
stained form of clay, sinners may yet return, if they, with 
humility approach to meet their God in his written Word, 
where beauty in divine sublimity smiles, distinguishing God 
triumphant, in whose holy name and law his Spirit saith, 



THE BOOK OF GENESIS. 41 

Come, soul, thirst to drink from the spring of knowledge 
that teaches men what they should be, and tells them 
what they are. Think then what thy Maker has done for 
thee, and what he requires in return ; also, that after thy 
life in His service is spent, thou art more than debtor to 
thy Creator's love ! Think that he who moved as man, 
was of creation's works the most exalted, being formed and 
quickened to promote Jehovah's glory, but now by sin is 
so depraved, that ere he can be accepted of God whose 
Word of life the Bible is, his bosom, by spiritual affection 
warmed, must embrace the sun-beams divine that shoot 
from the potent Fountain whence the spirits of our fathers 
consolation drank, ere the God-man Christ appeared in the 
Essence of divinity, to seal the solemn triune covenant, 
which unveiled to sinners the way to heaven, illumined by 
the conquering Sun that shines in the gospel glory ! The 
God of mercy, love and power, invites all to forsake the 
erroneous path, to flee from the alluring shadow, and by 
their works to prove their faith in Christ the Lord, and in 
his mighty Word, and shew that in them every inferior 
philosophy has yielded to that which is divine, its fountain 
source being in the Book that to man reveals almighty 
love in seraphic breathings precious to the soul, when she 
is prepared to hold converse with her irradiating Luminary 
that guides the Christian spirit to her God. When the 
spiritual nature of man communes with his Creator, then 
may the mental eye view the scene of life unveiled, and 
behold the intercourse opened between heaven and earth 
revealing the history of Jehovah's providence unto the 
human race, and see truth flowing from the Eternal One 
in holy splendour living, guarded by the spiritual sword 
that is wielded by Christ the conqueror; preserving the 
means by man's Creator given, to promote the soul's sal- 
vation. So will they, when reading the Holy Bible, be 
sensible that no interpretation of the blessed Word can be 
approved by God, unless the primitive meaning be rendered, 



42 A VINDICATION OF 

to agree with the spiritual signification : It being the 
Book of God, the Scriptural guide by divinity given, from 
its verses cordial comfort issues, to refresh mankind that 
while sojourners here they may move in the illumined 
path, and cheerful pass the vale of death ; to inherit im- 
mortality ! Men will then discern that from human 
writings, the Book of God distinguished is, by its spiritual 
signification, which constitutes it men's directory in all 
things essential to the soul's salvation, guiding them to 
pray for a superior portion of Jehovah's Spirit, that they 
may be strong to meet Him in his field of love, and appre- 
ciate only the interpretation that breathes in harmony with 
the spiritualizing attributes of Elohim God ! whose Essence 
is the source divine of redeeming Spirit holy I For God 
is incorruptible, and with Him is no variableness nor sha- 
dow of turning ; # thus infinite in his perfections He also 
is, and unchangeable in his nature, his purposes unalter- 
able, constant, and immutable ; conscious of these truths, 
men will remember, God is not man that He should lie, 
neither the son of man that He should repent. For hath 
He said it and shall not He do it ? or, hath He spoken and 
shall He not make it good ? f Though men believe not 
God abideth faithful, He cannot deny Himself. £ There- 
fore should men more and more revere the Rock of Life 
eternal, and pray for power to perceive soon as told, the 
truths in the Word revealed, so believing, approved may 
sinners be, and attain blissful peace in eternity !" 

Infidelity. "What effect has been produced by the 
declaration of the Reverend William Buckland, professor of 
geology, of Christ Church, Oxford : 'That a change has 
been judged necessary in the interpretation of the first 
chapter of Genesis, that treats of the creation of the world, 
and its organic creatures V' 

Truth. " Such declaration could not fail to interrupt 
Christian calm, weaken men's faith in the Word of God, 

* Rom. i. 23. f Jam. i. 17. % 2 Tim. ii. 13. 



THE BOOK OF GENESIS. 43 

and chill their confidence in the religion of life : When it 
was openly avowed by the Rev. Professor, it being calcu- 
lated to unsettle the faith of many well-disposed minds in 
the Holy Bible ; the blessed Book calling for a defender, 
a voice was heard in defence of the sacred volume, that its 
glory may remain unveiled, and the casket of life receive 
the honour from mortals due to its immortal spirit ; God's 
work advanced to check any clouding torrent Satan might 
cause to flow, and this was deemed in season, because the 
lukewarm suffered the poisoning peace-destroying streams, 
to creep unnoticed by ; some fondling inferior passions, 
approved the irreligious scheme, when Truth entered the 
field of controversy, to give the interpretation of Jehovah's 
Word, not according to the theories of human creators, 
but, aided from above, to interpret the Word, applying the 
same to the condition of man, as approved by God whose 
Spirit Word it is." 

Infidelity. " Is it not supposed Luther entertained 
ideas in accordance with those expressed by the Rev. Pro- 
fessor ?" 

Truth. " The Rev. Professor Buckland, Professor 
Pusey, Dr. Chalmers, and others, may have thought Martin 
Luther's faith in the Word which gives an account of the 
creation was unsettled, because he considered the three 
first verses of the Book of Genesis in transposed order; 
but it will be seen that the Christian Luther knew not the 
shadowed thought. It is not then to him, the great re- 
sponsibility attaches, but to those who nurse the destruc- 
tive fruit of folly, whose worldly wisdom terminates in 
foolishness. False doctrines have been promulgated in 
various ages of the world ; this seems to be the day of 
shadow ; Satan is busy in the vale of death, and while the 
body of his votaries swell, men by him are taught to 
believe a lie. Their followers, influenced by the same mis- 
guiding spirit, drink the unholy draught, which forces the 
lovers of novelty from wisdom's illumined way. The 



44 A VINDICATION OF 

Reverend Professor of Geology, of Christ Church, Oxford, 
having at the last meeting of the British Association at 
Bristol, declared that a change had been judged necessary 
in the interpretation of the first chapter of Genesis, 
wherein man is told when this world was created : also a 
document of subsequent date, stating that the Reverend 
Professor, after having declared the sentiments above ex- 
pressed, repudiates the charge of attempting to inculcate 
sceptical views of the rise or birth of the world ; adding, 
that when geological researches are fully understood, and 
rightly interpreted, they not only afford a host of new 
and important evidence of the being and attributes of a 
God, but are also strictly consistent with the Mosaic 
account of the creation. Here reason asks, First, If 
geological researches are found to be strictly consistent 
with the Mosaic account of the creation, why should 
it be declared a change had been judged necessary 
in the interpretation of that beautifully sublime germe 
of Holy Writ, in vain attempts to accommodate the con- 
tents of the sacred page to the present fondled ideas of 
geology ? Secondly, Can geological research be fully 
understood, and rightly interpreted, by those who reject 
the inspired Word, which is the garden of knowledge that 
is watered by wisdom's eternal flow? Thirdly, What 
other tendency can the declaration noticed have, but that 
of disturbing the Christian's peace, and inculcating sceptical 
views of the cosmogony, or birth of the world ? Fourthly, 
What authority is there for presuming that the earth was 
created prior to the day God directed Moses to distin- 
guish, in making known to men, when the world began to 
be? Fifthly, Do men of science discover stronger evi- 
dences of the Being and attributes of a God by geological 
researches, than in any other pursuit ? Surely, no man, 
that esteems the Mosaic account of the creation, would 
vary the beauty, or cloud the glory of Jehovah's Word, by 
endeavouring to accommodate the verse divine to meet 



THE BOOK OF GENESIS. 45 

inferior passions, and the unyielding stubbornness of hu- 
man intellect. To reject the Word is to deny the Spirit of 
Truth : that denied, Satan's floods of error flow, in cloud- 
ing efforts, to blot the Creator's glory ; yet, though the 
Author they may be permitted to offend, His treasures of 
life will, in overflowing effulgence conquering live, when 
time shall be no more. God's holy sword and mighty 
shield will not permit his glory to be clouded. He having 
inspired Moses and the prophets, and acknowledged what 
they wrote, men ought to revere the same, and love the 
divine law-giver, refusing all doctrines that would shadow 
the lamp which guides the soul to glory ; forsaking the way 
pursued by those who blush not to lead men on in unfelt 
misery with the mental blind, who exist in sin the prince 
of darkness serving. Enslaving thoughts be for ever shut 
out; men may not suppose that any sinner can be charged 
with a mission from on high to vary the Word inspired by 
Deity; because the adversary of God and man desires it." 
Infidelity. " The Bible page beams glory to you. 
From me : Does a vapour cloud the effulgence of its 
shining ? But ; If Luther acknowledged the received 
translation, why should he deem a transposition of the 
verses at the beginning of the Book expedient ?" 

Truth. " A shadowing cloud between you and it, may 
hovering intervene, veiling from the mental vision ; ,yeif, 
the Word Jehovah's Spirit breathed, to feed the sinner's 
soul, each day fruit immortal yields, proclaiming peace to 
the Christian's spirit, filling her with light that teaches 
man the will supreme as in God's Word revealed. The 
shadow distancing men from God, is that which clouds the 
souls of all who consider the three first verses of the Book 
of Genesis to contain an account of a distinct and prior act 
of creation. They have supposed the Christian Luther 
entertained correspondent ideas, because he considered the 
verse in the received version marked as the third, as though 
it stood the first in order. Having gone thither, seeking a 



46 A VINDICATION OF 

prop to sustain their theory, a duty it becomes to shew 
that in seeking shelter from the Spirit's warmth, under the 
gourd they fancied Luther had planted, they have con- 
veyed an idea of the pious Luther's mind, that is unfaith- 
ful, as shadowed and untrue ; thus wielding the Spirit 
sword on the ground by them selected, prove to the Chris- 
tian world the erroneous thoughts and views indulged and 
expressed by those who reject the Word whose glory is to 
mental darkness veiled ; and must so to them remain, till 
nocturnal gloom is chased by the prevailing Spirit sword. 

"To read the Bible, as Luther may have entertained the 
Word, men may take the third verse first, and the divine 
harmony that flows from the page is not interrupted, when 
they, as Luther did, can acknowledge a First Cause, and 
commune with the Lord of all ! Believing, they may read 
as seen in verse the third : ' And God said, Let there 
be light, and there was light.' God approves when men 
declare these gracious words are emanations of Elohim Je- 
hovah, whose Omniscience in Omnipotence from his eter- 
nity pre-ordained earth should live : so may man proceed 
to consider the effect produced by the divine command. 

" In the Word's offsprings, ' Let there be light,' or, 
'Be light,' is distinguished the First Cause Jehovah, in 
Essence, ' Three united/ who, having predetermined, as 
predestined, in glory of solemnity, to bid earth be, where 
first a void in chaos hovered, silent shadowed, brooding 
night ; to whom he in holy effulgence, divinely gracious, 
by his Word spoke, 'Be light, and light was!' 'Let 
there be light, and there was light !' Then did the Word 
at earth's inclining, bid this world illumined be, to receive, 
embrace and mingle with the instinct quickening rays, 
that the fruit from her womb to be born, might to per- 
fection grow for the benefit of him, whom Almighty 
Wisdom in holy counsel, determined to create of her dust, 
that on the maternal bosom he might live, and using the 
mercies for him provided, without abusing the blessings 



THE BOOK OF GENESIS. 47 

unto him given, drink in delight to his clay refined, and 
exalted rise in the sunshine of immortality ! 

" Contemplate the Omnipotent ; persons Three in 
Essence One, holy, just, and true; the fountain source 
of light ! in whose presence darkness cannot be : When 
the Word, by whom all things were created, acknow- 
ledged the offspring of Infinity, light into her bosom 
shone, and glory flowed around : then see earth, a crea- 
ture from eternity, born of nothing, a substance to 
receive, and with that substance, while time should be, 
perpetual motion to maintain in the vacuum where an 
empty void was felt, in shadow's impotence and gloom of 
death, when the Spirit of God shone on the liquid face to 
fill earth's void with substantial good, chase the dark 
tyrant from her mournful throne, that she might fruitful 
live in li°;ht. 

" The mind of Martin Luther when on earth, exalted in 
his Maker's glory, he holy communion held with the King 
of heaven : see him meet the Bible page, communing with 
his God, while the saving lamp that burned within, un- 
veiled divinity to his soul ; guiding the mental vision, to 
view Elohim's Spirit immortal radiance beaming, when the 
Holy One said, ' Let there be light ;' or, ' Be light.' Pro- 
ceeding then to the second verse he read, ' And the earth 
was without form and void, and darkness was upon the face 
of the deep : and the Spirit of God moved upon the face of 
the waters.' — Reflecting on the first part of this verse, 
* And the earth was without form and void,' the mind's eye 
is re-conducted to the contemplation of Deity in his eternal 
car of glory, breathing in the source of light effulgent, in 
the majesty of power, as having in holy council determined 
that He had ordained this world to occupy in the un- 
bounded bosom of infinity, should from eternity spring, being 
in the mind divine ! in holy counsel entertained to appear 
in a new creation, at the moment his Effluence in the 
Word sent the fiat forth bidding the earth be j then, when 



48 A VINDICATION OF 

darkness prevailed upon the face of the deep, God's Spirit 
acknowledged the new-created world by breathing into her 
darkness his delivering light, that pierced the thirsting 
matter, chased nocturnal impotence, gave instinctive spirit 
power conquering the night of death, unveiling to her the 
day of life that she might yield fruit matured, approved by 
her Creator : then the earth in time began to be, that 
being the solemn moment of her creation ; then by the 
Great First Cause created, by God acknowledged, by God 
declared, when, to create, the Word went forth, and she 
embraced the Holy Spirit light, in the beginning,, when God 
created the heaven and the earth : Thus will Christians 
see, that those persons err who think, because Luther con- 
sidered the first verses of Genesis in the transposed time, 
that he supposed they have reference to a distinct and 
prior act of creation, and this will be more sensibly felt, 
when the explanation of these texts appear m their 
received order : at present therefore the pen will only add, 
that such inference supposes God capable of deceiving man- 
kind, whereas Jehovah being holy in all perfections, any 
unholy implication is opposed to the nature of his essence. 
Besides, if the antecedents in the third and second verses 
be considered, the consequent is found in the first verse ; 
it being expedient Jehovah should will, and in his Word go 
forth to effect a new generation, ere the beginning could 
begin to be, ere in truth it might be said Time had began." 

Infidelity. " When God said, l Let there be light/ 
did light mingle with the darkness that in chaotic night 
was felt in the circuit of earth's motion ?" 

Truth. " No. Light and darkness cannot mingle. 
Light lives in God the original eternal source of light, in 
Him is eternal day; from his creative fountain issues 
light that giveth life : God causes his lamp to shine, 
wheresoever and whensoever he pleaseth ; where his Spirit 
is received, all is illumined : in Him dwelleth no dark- 
ness at all : in Him was life, and the life was the light of 



THE BOOK OF GENESIS. 49 

men : in light God the Father lives in whom is God the 
Son, from eternity begotten, and from the two proceeds 
the Holy Ghost the Comforter, equally co-eternal ! None 
but Jehovah can give light to shine in the void where 
darkness erst existed : his light it is, that shineth in dark- 
ness when the darkness comprehendeth it not. He it is 
who sends the Holy Spirit arrow in the sun-beam of the 
soul to lift the shadowing veil, that drapes the offending 
sinner in midnight gloom of death : — His sword of light it 
was, that caused shadow from this earth to flee : when in 
spirit of sable hue, volving and counter-volving, she in 
chaos ebbed and flowed, in mercy He, poured the saving 
luminary into the new-created world : 'tis the influence of 
his Holy Spirit that gives light to shine where mental 
darkness reigned ; 'tis He who wields the flaming sword, 
subduing the tyrant shadow that is worshipped by the 
sinning soul, while wearing the yoke of slavery : but light 
and darkness cannot mingle, their nature being distinct 
both in appearance and in spirit. 

" See Jehovah's pleasure expressed, as from eternity de- 
termined : the living words ' Be light' were spoke : the 
motive is perceived in the creature earth, to whom they 
were addressed, in the first creation ; as will plain appear 
if the literal interpretation, in the spiritual signification 
of the Word, from men receive the reverence due. So, 
as in eternity ordained the Word in Deity spoke, the 
motive Luther saw, when viewing the creature to whom 
they were spoken when earth took her form : His soul 
drank from the fountain of truth when contemplating 
Jehovah pouring light from his presence to the bosom 
of earth, it being essential, that creation might illu- 
mined be : his mental eye may have read Deity's 
glory emanating from the Source of light in fulness of 
power, as having pre-determined, to create earth ; and 
Omniscience knowing, that unless illumined by his smile, 
the trembling sorrowing clouded body, would still in the 



50 A VINDICATION OF 

bonds of death exist ; that then his mercy overflowing 
sent forth the Energy divine, to illumine, and by illuming, 
to create, causing His wisdom and Omnipotence their 
influence to manifest in from nothing commanding a new 
creation to appear in matter and motion assuming a form 
that in the perfection of beauty should live and in esta- 
blished order move, ere, as will be seen, the known spirit 
of evil permitted was, to offend the glory streaming, 
beaming from Jehovah : ere sin and its attendant death, 
darkened the glorious prospect and enslaved the soul of 
man. Luther knew the Word of God to be the pure light 
which safely directs men to the path that opens to realms 
of bliss ! Exalted in christian Piety he moved a child of 
God on earth, walking with the King of heaven. Thus 
he approached the Bible in company with his Lord 
and Saviour, whose bosom lamp unveiled divinity to his 
soul : he saw the glory of the Great First Cause that im- 
mortal radiance beamed guiding him to view the Effluence 
of his Maker going forth, in the light of majesty and 
might, creating to create, illuming, to illumine, when God 
in Spirit glory spoke, ' Let there be light/ or ' Be light/ 
and there was light: when earth illumined, greeted her 
Creator's smile ! Being by the Spirit led to behold the 
body, which first, unformed and empty, invisible was, in 
the spirit of shadow's chaotic dwelling, then a substance 
in glory draped, Luther, may in harmony with the Word 
have read the divine pleasure in the determination, ' Let 
there be light and there was light/ or • Be light and light 
was / as the first in order. 

" Having considered the first verses of the Book of 
Genesis, as transposed in the preceding pages of this work, 
the Author of the Word, (who caused the same to be writ- 
ten for man's good and His glory that sinners may drink 
light from the eternal Source to move on through Imma- 
nuel's fountain) directs us now, to consider the first chap- 
ters of Genesis, as they appear in the translation received 



THE BOOK OF GENESIS. 51 

by Christians, and approved by God. According to which 
it is written, — 

"'In the beginning God created the heaven and the 
earth.' 

" Eternity can have neither beginning nor end. 
"Time began when earth a new generation from the 
prolific womb of eternity soared into light and being, to 
hover for a period in the bosom of infinity. 

" The birth of the world may be defined, determined, and 
confirmed by the evidence contained in the Word written 
by Moses the faithful servant of God, and by other texts 
of inspired Scripture, from the first verse of the Holy 
Writing to the end of Divine Revelation ; all which give 
sacred support to what will in this volume be written, in 
defence of the Word of God ; and which the effulgence of 
Deity inspired his chosen servant Moses to write : the holy 
writer obeyed the divine inspired command, in letter and 
in spirit addressing, under God, the spiritual instruction 
contained in the sacred writings to the human race, it 
being pre-ordained the same should from the divine Essence 
flow through him to guide mankind. Jehovah's Word, 
having so gone forth must eternal stand ; so, the earth on 
which men live, to whom it is written, and the creation 
of which the Word treats, began to be, at the moment when 
time commenced on her, as distinguished by God's faithful 
witness four thousand and four years before the birth of 
Christ : which agrees in letter and in spirit with the 
Mosaic account of the creation, that saith, 

" 'In the beginning God created the heaven and the 
earth.' 

" The preposition — in, is here used to notify the time 
when the world was created. 

" The article — the, being the definite article has a par- 
ticular and definite signification. 

" Beginning, a substantive from the verb begin signi- 
fies the first original motion or cause : the entrance into 

e 



52 4 VINDICATION OF 

act or being : the state in which any thing first is : having 
herein the definitivus definitus, the limited positive, 
first determines that time began at the epoch marked by- 
Moses, when taught by the creating Spirit of God. 

" The Essence of God living in eternity by the influence 
of his Holy Spirit, working in the soul of man, guides him, 
to contemplate the Almighty Jehovah causing the earth 
to assume her form, and to feel his fountain's flow, when 
light in the Word created earth bidding her illumined be. 
The Creator being the eternal source of light : in the 
beginning ' He was in the Word, and the Word was with 
God, and the Word was God.' In the beginning the 
light that lives in eternity was the Word : and light eter- 
nal in the Word living was with God, so the light in 
eternity living in the Word, the Word was God in the 
fountain of his Essence ! 

" ' In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was 
God. The same was in the beginning with God. All 
things were made by him ; and without him w 7 as not any 
thing made that was made/* 

" ' In the beginning God created the heaven and the 
earth. 'f 

Thus writes the herald inspired to proclaim Jehovah's 
law in his written Word. Looking on this Rock wherein 
scriptural truths are based in the garden of life that is 
watered by the Spirit of Deity : conducted by the guar- 
dian guide, to look on the earth at the moment of her 
creation, when, obedient to the Word Creator she began 
with time to be ; when to her shadow substance was given, 
and she came forth illumined acknowledged by Jehovah, 
who had pre-determined to create her revolving ball, and 
at whose pleasure the Word visited her vacuous unfilled 
bosom, to fill her empty void, with instinctive spirit in 
material body, which called was to be also to dissolve at 
his command. In wisdom Elohim decreed : his Spirit 

* Johni. 1, 2, 3. f Gen. i. 1. 



THE BOOK OF GENESIS. 53 

holy willed the hour when the first day should commence, 
then to eternity time appeared for earth created lived, to 
behold the nether heaven, which already created was, by 
the same Almighty power ! Wondrous, nor less sublime, 
is the mental picture, to behold the earth revolving in the 
embrace of immensity where a clouded vacuum was, to be 
released from the night of shadow, where chaos indis- 
tinctly mingled. When, as the work begun the Word 
created ! to the Word earth inclining, instinctive spirit, 
then see poured, into her mass of matter, her innate fire 
then kindled, the particles of common matter and the 
particles of common spirit, became prepared to be called 
out in the second creation, in the formation of things, and 
the reducing of the indigested or unformed rudiments of 
material bodies, into their ranks, degrees, and orders ; 
earth's matter being then awakened, and instinctive spirit 
given, to live in creation's family, as was fore-ordained 
should from her substance spring, and feed on her over- 
flowings, while time his race should run : thus the hypo- 
thesis of the Creation of all things out of nothing is clear 
as light in the Creator : even as in the beauty of sub- 
limity it is clearly expressed in the account by Moses 
given of the progress of the whole creation, wherein divine 
Revelation makes known to man the method and order 
by which, and in which, the wonderful work progressed. 
In the second verse of the book of Genesis Moses has 
written, • 

" ' And the earth was without form and void : and 
darkness was upon the face of the deep : and the Spirit of 
God moved upon the face of the waters.' 

" In the first part of the verse, it is said, the earth was 
without form and void : i. e. that the form, now full, was 
then empty, and unformed, in the lap of infinity : and 
darkness was upon the face of the deep : these truths 
guide the mind's eye to see, in soul-convincing light, that 
although the eye of God saw and his Spirit in counsel pro- 

e2 



54 A VINDICATION OF 

claimed there earth should be, that, yet, her body did not 
appear, until the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the 
waters, when material matter was by the Word created. 
Having been led to view the parent earth, a feeble trem- 
bling timorous mass, in the abyss of sorrow buried, cloked 
in the night of helplessness, and that then it pleased him 
at whose bidding she assumed her form, in spirit to hover 
on her liquid flow, disposing her instinctive will, and 
causing her inclining, to embrace the luminary at the 
moment when light shone in her from the Word gene- 
rating a body, to be called earth, though then unformed 
was her figure a vacuum being unfurnished : from his 
eternity Jehovah in counsel holy named earth, though 
I AM the Almighty Generator as yet had not to her bosom 
sent his creating luminary : therefore, as is seen in the 
second part, ' darkness was upon the face of the deep/ 
So that in the abyss of darkness trembling earth existed, 
first in chaotic confusion veiled, when God sent in the 
Word, his creative Spirit forth, to give substance to the 
shadow, and kindle earth's innate fire : then as may be 
read in the latter part of the verse, l the Spirit of God 
moved upon the face of the waters.' In the preceding 
parts of the verse it is said, ' the earth was without form 
and void/ i. e. unformed and empty ; and that darkness 
was upon the face of the deep, when a ray of glory to 
illumine saith, ' And the Spirit of God moved upon the 
face of the waters !' First the Christian is guided to view 
in the mental field, the unformed empty earth, then to feel 
that darkness within, and on her surface reigned, even 
while unconscious clouded she, in the death of night ex- 
isted, and then to behold Jehovah pouring light, that earth 
might drink and live : see her new-born by the Word 
looking up to him for life, and receiving the illuming 
instinctive spirit power that to her bosom brought the 
relief she from the source of her Creator sought. — May 
not the condition of earth, when in darkness, be like that 



THE BOOK OF GENESIS. 55 

of men who, tossed by the ebb and flow of passions, 
exist in Satan's cloud of sin, miserable and wretched, 
gratifying sensual unholy feelings, in the torpid gloom of 
death ; enduring unfelt misery, from which cloud they 
cannot rise, till their soul incline to God, and with the 
will, in praying fervour seek him, for so must they be dis- 
posed, ere they can behold his redeeming Sun, or escape 
the net that holds the sinner in mental blindness, to 
wander in the cloud of death s when the shadowed soul 
feels her need of saving grace, and repentant, humble 
seeks her God, thirsting to drink from Jesus' flow, she 
sees the pilot star of redeeming love, that guides to 
Immanuel's blood, and through that cleansing fountain, to 
the Father's glory ; in Elohim God ! 

" Thus, when considering the first and second verses of 
Holy Writ, the mind is led to contemplate Jehovah's 
wisdom infinite in the plenitude of power, as the Creator 
of the world, and the Author of the Word, that treats of 
his creation ; and to adore his Essence in eternity, as 
having pre-determined, to produce and plant in a sha- 
dowed void, where sombre silence reigned, a substance 
which in the light of life should chaunt his praise and 
nurture immortality ! 

" l In the beginning God created the heaven and the 
earth. And the earth was without form and void, and 
darkness was upon the face of the deep : and the Spirit of 
God moved upon the face of the waters.' When earth, 
while in chaos inclined to the Spirit that moved upon the 
face of the waters, then was heaven to her unveiled ; she 
looking up sought the relief she needed, and which could 
only emanate from the Word, who in mercy gave it ; earth 
then being acknowledged by Jehovah : He in his work 
was glorified and approving illumined her. — '■ And God 
said, Let there be light; and there was light !' ' be light 
and light was.' — When Deity thus spoke, see the clouded 
earth's instinctive spirit addressed, when the Holy Dove 



56 A VINDICATION OF 

had awakened her from the death of shadow, to desire the 
light to which till then, she had been a stranger. — And is 
it not so now, even at this hour ? Yes, the same awaken- 
ing illuming power Omnipotent, by Jesus' interceding, 
causes, through him, the redeeming day-star to address, 
invite, and relieve the souls who exist in sin, when their 
spirits for pardon thirsting, repentant seek his pardoning 
smile. 

" ' And God saw the light that it was good : and God 
divided the light from the darkness.' # 

" The mind has been invited to the fountain of Him, of 
whom John came for a witness, to bear witness of the 
light, that all men through him might believe : and also, 
to contemplate the three divine Persons in essence One 
united living in the Word, that created heaven and earth : 
in the Word that awoke this revolving parent, bid her 
no longer remain in death's sable mantle draped : in the 
Word whose spirit sword from within her chased the 
frown that afflicts with sin, and its attendant sorrow ; first 
creating within her, desire to live, then calling her to 
smile terrestrial joy, in the light of life that in Jehovah's 
presence is : the Word that from confusion's void redeemed 
a world that unformed in nocturnal silence rolled ; where 
earth on which men are placed a race to run, or slothful 
be ; to ascend in light, or into shadow fall : to secure an 
eternal crown in bliss, or, for a season to exist in the 
slavery of Satan, shut out from the glory of God ! hence 
to be called, to receive the reward of sins by them so 
fondly nursed, and which will follow them to their tyrant 
master's abode, filling with woe's undying misery, in fire 
that is not to be quenched, there to endure the gnawing of 
the worm that never dies. 

"'And God called the light day and the darkness he 
called night. And the evening and the morning were the 
first day :' f i. e. the first natural day of the world. 

* Gen. i. 4. f Gen. i. 5. 



THE BOOK OF GENESIS. 57 

" Light living in God with him darkness cannot dwell : 
Elohim the fountain of eternal day illumined this the tem- 
poral day ; night sudden retires from the soul of man at 
the approach of Jehovah's spirit light : shadow flies from 
earth's bosom, when the orb of nature's day appears : 
divine light illumines in grace sanctifying the soul of man 
in the spirit of wisdom and revelation, opening the under- 
standing, driving thence the vapours of ignorance and 
error, teaching the knowledge of God in Christ his Son, 
even as at first ' God commanded the light to shine out of 
darkness.'* Where the Spirit of God is, there is light : 
when the emblem orb is seen, earth from his flow drinks 
day. 

" Guided to the Word Omnipotent the firmament creat- 
ing : hear the silent voice divine say, ■ Let there be a fir- 
mament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the 
waters from the waters:' i.e. let air embosom the new- 
born earth, while in the embrace of Infinity ; presenting 
to man, an expansion in heavenly ether, a silvery gold-, 
tinged sheet extended a holy curtain drawn, visible to man 
around the earth 'tween him and the heaven of heavens, 
along the way men's spirits look, when their exalted breath- 
ings commune with Jehovah : see the firmament of heaven 
glowing his tempered light, the air, the receptacle and ve- 
hicle of its beams, and the medium of communication 
'tween the invisible and the visible world. Behold the 
creating Word fixing the firmament within itself, from the 
fluid waters distant, deigning to call it heaven ; the heaven 
man's spirit eye may pierce, when the soul, illumined by 
light divine ; can in glory meet her God. 

"Time having ran a second eve and met a second morn, 
the Word bid the waters assembled be, that dry land 
should appear : the dry land, was called earth, the waters 
then, as seas distinguished, and Jehovah saw 'twas good 
his glory to promote. 

* 2 Cor. iv. 6. 



58 A VINDICATION OF 

" Distinguishing the grand work of Omnipotence the 
mind perceives the rudiments of things corporeal produced, 
including the common mass of matter, and the common 
mass of material beings, or the materia prima of bodies, and 
the materia prima of substantial forms, in the shadowed 
void at the bidding of the Word, in a substance of matter, 
or corporeal moles, without form, and empty, a moment 
hovering in unfelt death, waiting a second creation, pre- 
pared, to present in light a globe, or circle without end, 
emblem of eternity, wherein is her Creator : see the parent 
mother, from whose material garden was to be taken, dust, 
to form a creature that, to be created was in the image of 
his Maker, to live on herwho first nocturnal impotence 
exhaled, until, strong in strength divine, quickened was 
she to sing glad songs of praise ; unto Him who gave her 
power. 

" The fiat divine obeyed, see earth's first creation in the 
production of something out of nothing, in the converting 
of shadow into substance, wherein is perceived, an effect, 
far, far, greater than a finite mind may comprehend : be- 
cause the distance 'tween not being and being is infinite, 
which truth ought to convince the unbeliever, that the 
work of creation is a work Omnipotence only could per- 
form, so should it establish men's faith, in Jehovah's 
Word! 

" ' And God said, Let the earth bring forth grass, the 
herb yielding seed after his kind, and the fruit-tree yielding- 
fruit after his kind, whose seed is in itself, upon the earth : 
and it was so.' # 

" ' And the earth brought forth grass, and herb yielding 
seed after his kind, and the tree yielding fruit, whose seed 
was in itself after his kind : and God saw that it was 
good.'f 

" ' And the evening and the morning were the third 
day.' J 

* Gen. i. 11. f Gen. i. 12. J Gen. i. 13. 



THE BOOK OF GENESIS. 59 

" Being guided to behold a second creation at God's 
command appear in visible and tangible corporeal bodies, 
educed from the rudiments of matter and form, or common 
spirit already prepared in the first creation, when the 
Creator bid earth assume her form while she in chaos 
cloud existed : these are distinguished ; first, in the segre- 
gation of certain parts of matter, and suitable parts of the 
material spirit. 2. The coagulation and co-augmentation 
of those separated parts suitable to the varied nature of 
things. 3. The transposition and location of the same in 
their proper places and stations. 4. The supplying the 
properties suitable to them. 5. The forming, fashioning 
and adorning of the several superior bodies as by particles 
of matter and form, or spirit assumed and fitted to each 
for their individual and specific natures : and communi- 
cating to all terrestrial creatures the instinctive spirit pe- 
culiar to the nature of each work so created. — Thus may 
a second creation be perceived in the eduction of particular 
things subministered by the first creation ; and, assuredly, 
such as, the temperature of the matter, the natural influx 
of the heavens, and the energy of first qualities could not 
produce ; nor any power but Jehovah Omnipotent the 
Creator of heaven and earth, whose infinite wisdom had 
pre-ordained it should be so : not as being necessary, to 
sustain his glory, but because it was God's good pleasure, 
to create beings which should distinguish the omnipotence, 
the omnipresence, the wisdom, and the glory of his 
Essence ! 

Earth, in time, having three diurnal courses ran, illu- 
mined by the glorious Trinity in her bountiful Creator ! 
Behold a redeemed material field, the prolific parent 
garden, from her overflowing and yet pregnant womb, 
emitting to emit herbs with fruits delicious, and all that 
were good, to delight and invigorate the child of her 
bosom, who in due time was to be formed of her dust : she 
having from the cloud of chaos inclined to the creating 



60 A VINDICATION OF 

Spirit's light that life to her bosom brought Deity's ap- 
proving smile, caused nature's inspiring orb to shine : 

" ' And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament 
of the heaven, to divide the day from the night ; and let 
them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and 
years.' * 

" ' And let them be for lights in the firmament of the 
heaven, to give light upon the earth : and it was so*'f 

" • And God made two great lights ; the greater light to 
rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night: he 
made the stars also.' J 

" ' And God set them in the firmament of the heaven, 
to give light upon the earth.' § 

" ' And to rule over the day and over the night, and to 
divide the light from the darkness : and God saw that it 
was good.' \\ 

" ' And the evening and the morning were the fourth 
day.'^f — When, in the sun the mind beholds the fountain 
flowing nature's day, as pre-determined by Jehovah : thus, 
obedient to the Word, the glorious orb went forth ! The 
heaven seraphic smiled on earth the spring-tide o'erflow- 
ings Eternity yielded from that medium, filling his trea- 
sures, that he should feed the maternal parent through 
time, with light that gave her life : and still his duty, 
faithful he performs : But, then, celestial glory in terres- 
trial calm reigned on earth, no blot or stain appeared ; all, 
as the rose of Sharon fair, or the lily of the valley. The 
sun shot forth golden arrows bathed in life, piercing the 
yielding parent, while on his way from the east at morn 
beaming the awakening, re-kindling, invigorating flow, to 
drape her bosom, in the robe of glory : then, retracing his 
way along the vault of heaven, pouring spirit-reviving, 
instinct quickening streams of light, to preserve the crea- N 
tures of the Creator's care ; calling the spirit of the new- 

* Gen. i. 14. f Gen. i. 15. J Gen. i. 16. 

§ Gen. i. 17. || Gen. i. 18. f Gen. i. 19. 



THE BOOK OF GENESIS. 61 

created to awake, rekindle her native fire, preserving her 
favoured matter refined, that she might yield the blessings 
in her living for the use of him who was to be in the image 
of Jehovah, to partake of the good from her innate trea- 
sures flowing, at the moment the Word had pre-determined 
man should live to enjoy. 

" Thus may the regenerate mind contemplate a generated 
world which was in chaos dark, in the night of death 
existing, then, in the spirit of nature's light breathing 
genial day : the fount that illumes Infinity's azure gold- 
tinged bosom, pierced the fruitful mother; retiring then 
below the wave, leaving the parent nurse to cherish the 
generations she in embryo held : see her evening glory 
smiling, greeting the departing ray: hailing also his return 
when morning life o'erflowed in joy. Hear Nature's voice 
chaunting praise whose melodious breathings enriched the 
heaven-born cloud that gladdened shone in the glories of 
the sky, where angel seraphs sung : see earth that from 
the shades of death was called to drink in cordial light, 
when first the Orb of day poured glory from his source, 
when Eden bloomed a virgin pure and her fair garden 
illumined was by the fleuves that watered the Paradise of 
Jehovah : behold the Fount pursuing the way, retiring 
behind the new-born hill, sinking below the emerald flow, 
governing in the creeping wave, ruling in the vault of 
heaven, reigning in the medium throne where infinity 
speaks I AM ! Thus did day on her bosom live until, 
more distant he, the moon from his flow drank light, to 
feed her own, and, to pour on earth her silvery showers, 
cheering the shadowed night : when, a trinity in creatures, 
for time created, are seen, the sun the source of nature's 
light; the moon, recipient-communicant; and earth, the 
joyful object of God's care ; that was late from darkness 
called, where she in coagulated body convulsed, volving 
and countervolving, within the circle to her given moved, 
impotent and blind ; now the first of the three created, tlie 



62 



A VINDICATION OF 



others on her attending, each breathing the same desire, 
to swell the harmonious silent praise, that filled the canopy 
of the skies. The sun's mediate presence smiling, pre- 
serves to earth the light in day : feeding then the interme- 
diate moon he gives her power, to soften the shadow of 
night ; faithful Emblem this of Jehovah's love breathing 
to man through Christ the Mediator ! Earth's instinctive 
fire more vivid burning, her desire more ardent breathes, 
to yield the choicest herbs with fruit and flowers celestial 
beauties smiling, when, bathing in morning dew she, 
grateful showers of balsamic sweets exhaled hailing the 
return of her spirit's day, to rejoice in his approving smile. 
Deeper looking, higher ascending, the stars attention 
claim : those distant sparkling glories, with increased 
delight, are seen : their varying splendour differing speak 
wisdom infinite, in the omnipotent Creator ; while they 
promote the sublimity of beauty that with them in the 
firmament live, enriching the grandeur of the sparkling 
vault ; some of superior and others of inferior order, in the 
spangled bosom unite, and mingling powers smile to earth 
their piercing arrows, to gladden the new created ; late 
benighted sister! So do the angels in heaven rejoice 
when a soul is redeemed to Christ ! — Advancing, now, see 
creation's work in harmony divine : day succeeding to 
night, Time having began his journey here peaceful calm 
prevailed promising richer treasures : Jehovah had evening 
from morning spoke, and darkness from light divided : 
chaos no longer his sable curtain drew, around this floating 
globe, for other life being now destined she praised the 
eternal God ! The sun her day did rule, the moon cheer- 
ing the night, stars in sacred solemnity sang her spirit 
light ! when, the glory varying oft breathing richer smiles, 
proclaimed in time a fourth day. 

" Soon birds wing their way in air, in the firmament of 
heaven hovering : fishes move in the deep below receiving 
a blessing, in the divine command. 



THE BOOK OF GENESIS. 63 

" The prolific parent full, overflowing fruit to cherish 
her child not yet created; bearing on her bosom the 
choicest offsprings ; to delight a superior being : a family 
of material spirits, governed by instinctive essences, spring 
from the germe, the life feeding source had caused the 
root to send out, that they might perfection derive from 
the purifying splendour of his maturing flow : changed is 
the scene to that which was, when earth existed a clouded 
void in the depth of unfelt misery : see her figure draped 
in light, at the approach of the glorious stranger, who in 
the emblem of Divinity, daily appearing, to attain meridian 
height, bids nature's voice proclaim his source the feeding- 
orb of day, to earth unveiled, that, from his life awakening 
showers, she may drink reclaiming, cleansing, matter 
quickening, instinctive spirit light. Exalted souls con- 
template the great First Cause ! bidding the sun, pierce 
the earth with chastening swords, wounding her with fire 
of love, to heal a shadowed body ; to increase and feed her 
spirit power. The divine command revered, saluting as 
they pass, each quit the joyous scene ; both the heavenly 
course pursue, and as ordained again they meet, rejoicing 
in Jehovah's presence : earth, grateful that her shadow 's 
chased, yielding to the sun's embrace, opens her stores 
that contain Time's generations in their own forms inclosed, 
each in his substance pure and in his kind distinct, all 
influenced by the beam that awakens the early dew, to sip 
the balmy sweet: her fountains then, where nectar live, 
exhale their odours purified, to enrich celestial air, till 
cherubs fan the evening breeze, while around he moves 
inspiring her instinctive voice, rekindling her overflowing 
garden's fire, causing earth, to bud, to bloom and yield 
her fruit enriched matured. Thus she the more favoured 
offspring of Creation is seen, draped in holy splendour 
enjoying peace terrestrial, and calm serene. 

" This same earth, in the mental picture, man may view 
in undulating motion convulsed existing, containing forms 



64 A VINDICATION OF 

in shadowed air (as in the first creation) ere the Word 
caused his sword to pierce the sable cloud, penetrate her 
inclining matter, chase the spirit of darkness by creating 
in her bosom his refining fire : before the holy dove of 
light acknowledged her inclining, ere the fountain flowing 
day permitted was to feed her, with his spirit fire, that 
drove the lingering cloud of night, to beam a glorious 
morn, that she and her numerous progeny, might in 
peaceful splendour live, unfolding the riches, flowing from 
his love ; promoting Elohim's glory ! 

" * And the evening and the morning were the fifth 
day.' # — When : five daily stages being numbered Deity 
said, — 

" ' Let the earth bring forth the living creature after his 
kind, cattle and creeping things, and beasts of the earth 
after his kind ; and it was so.'i* 

" i And God made the beast of the earth after his kind, 
and cattle after their kind, and every thing that creepeth 
upon the earth after his kind : and God saw that it was 
good. 'J 

" Hitherto advanced in creation's field : Behold ! to the 
penultimate of her works by the Word called into being, 
and in his glory clad : Earth the prolific mother, the 
terrestrial family yields, at the bidding of th' Eternal : 
being pierced by nature's impregnating darts, the creatures 
from her bosom spring, smiling praises to their God ! all 
obedient moving, each performing the part assigned, by 
instinct guided in heavenly harmony working, to promote 
the end ordained : Jehovah's providence conserving go- 
verning, ordering and disposing all things, to advance the 
glory of his Essence ! ' By Him all things consist and 
are upheld,'^ ' even as in him all live and move and have 
their being.' || Was He to withdraw his conserving power 

* Gen. i. 23. f Gen. i. 24. J Gen. i. 25. 

§ Col. i. 16. Heb. i. 3. || Acts xvii. 28. 



THE BOOK OF GENESIS. 65 

creation's work would immediate clouded be, and sudden 
into ruin fall : no part thereof could longer endure did he 
not sustain it : nothing could be preserved except it were 
called of him. # His creatures all depend on him for their 
operations even as for their being : of themselves, move or 
work they cannot without their Creator's continual aid. 
Their power of acting derived is from God : who according 
to their nature and manner of acting within them governs 
guiding, that all effects may answer to their immediate 
causes : thus, without detracting from them by his power 
universal in Providence mighty working God directs them 
to produce their own actions according to the nature in 
them by him implanted ; it therefore may be truly said, 
that what they do is properly their own act, though act 
they cannot, without the assistance of their Creator and 
Preserver : who as sovereign Lord ruleth all caring and 
providing for them ; and thus do the eyes of all wait upon 
him, and in due season He giveth them their meat. He 
openeth his hand and satisfieth the desire of every living 
thing : He ordereth all things in measure number and in 
weight.f The world He ruleth with his hand : all things 
obey his will. Within just limits the seas He keeps, and 
over-rules the creatures that, but for his Government, 
would exceed their bounds. He, ruling the raging waves 
keeps them within the line his Law decretive hath pre- 
scribed, beyond which their fury cannot pass. The 
supreme governor and the moderator of all events is the 
great I AM ! Of all in which his creatures are concerned 
He is the all-wise Disposer. His Providence it is that 
constitutes the correspondence between the Creator and 
his creatures : without his governing Providence Jehovah's 
perfections would useless be and avail his creatures no- 
thing. These Reflections attractive are, and guide our 
thoughts to the creatures of God's special Providence, to 

* Wisd. xi. 12. f Ps. cxlv. 15, 16. Wisd. xi. 17. 



66 A VINDICATION OF 

protect whom his spiritual shield always is extended, and 
these favoured children are distinguished in the offsprings 
of him, whom the Word did create, when Deity said, — 

" ' Let us make man in our image, after our likeness ; 
and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and 
over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all 
the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth 
upon the earth.' # 

" ' So God created man in his own image, in the image 
of God created he him : male and female created he 
them.' f 

" In man behold a ruler, to whom dominion was given, 
over the creatures which from earth were into being called, 
when 

" God blessed them and said unto them, Be fruitful, 
and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it : and 
have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl 
of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon 
the earth." J 

* Gen. i. 26. f Gen. i. 27. % Gen. i 28. 



A VINDICATION 



OF 



THE BOOK OF GENESIS. 



PART III. 



" Jesus answered, Are there not twelve hours in the day? If any man 
walk in the day, he stumbleth not, because he seeth the light of this world. — 
But if a man walk in the night he stumbleth, because there is no light in 
him."— Jb^rc xi. 9, 10. 

ARGUMENT. 
MORNING dawns : Truth in Eden engaged in prayer 
and praise : so the lark tunes his soaring note, inviting the 
soul to melody ! 

" Spirit of bliss, divinely fair ; sacred fruit of heaven : 
aid me, now my soul looks up, to sing the glories of crea- 
tion: guide me to enjoy thy treasures in the pearl-drop 
o'erflowingb of morning dew, tho' these too infinite are for 
man to measure: how then shall finite minds his glory 
span ; whose essence in eternity flows ? Come, offspring of 
the eternal One, in conquering silence, strike the sinner's 
ear : awake the slumberer to feel thy whispering voice of 
love. Let the seraph torch thy votary inspire now in thy 
sight the chords I tune, to breathe the song divine. Be 
with me in this thy conscious garden Elohim shield 
Almighty!" 

Infidelity approaching, sudden exclaims, " Elohim ! 
I've heard that name before : well do I remember when, I felt 

f2 



68 A VINDICATION OF 






a wave of anguish roll, in silence reproving my trembling 
soul : shall I this day afflicted be : or, conscious learn my 
destiny ?" 

Truth. "Well met: mayest thou in peace enjoy this 
morning fair, now glories from on high rejoice the mental 
Eden ; while beauties by the sun-shower fed delight the 
mirror eye; crowning earth's created family, wherein is 
more glorious seen the Deity's Omnipresence in the Omni- 
potence of Jehovah, who by the Word and in the Word 
heaven and earth created ; Whom all creation honour and 
obey (ungrateful man excepted.)" 

Infidelity. " Are all the works of creation subjects of 
God's Providence ?" 

Truth. " Yes. Now, as in the beginning, they are 
and will, while time may be, remain subjects of God's 
general Providence : their actions, directed are, and 
governed by, the working of the intermediate agent that 
rules in the instinct peculiar to their species : — But, the 
nature of the spirit influencing them, being inferior to the 
breathing essence of Deity which constitutes man a living 
soul, the creatures lower than him in creation, are not con- 
templated as being, so much, the subjects of Jehovah's 
special Providence, as man, who, created in the image of 
God, reflected his Maker's likeness." 

Infidelity. " May we consider the Dog, the Horse, and 
other creatures of the brute families as having the power of 
retaining received impressions? Do they not possess 
memory?" 

Truth. " No. Memory may not be ascribed to the 
brute, or to any inferior work of God's creation : because 
where memory is, there must necessarily be a reflective 
faculty, and other intellectual rivulets, which issue only 
from the soul of man, as branching from the immortal 
essence that is quickened, and immediately fed, by the 
spirit breathing of Jehovah : whose breath exalts, above 
the instinct-kindling, creature-preserving, matter-govern- 



THE BOOK OF GENESIS. 



ing spirit of the brute creation, and all inferior works; 
which, created by his Word, also are by God dis- 
tinguished with powers peculiar to their nature, these 
being by the Creator given, as by his directive Providence 
governed, under the influence of the intermediate agent, 
with whom the First-Cause is ever present ; governing and 
conserving : his Providence awakens their innate instinct 
spirit, and working therein, guides them where it is good 
they should be, propelling, restraining, exciting, subduing, 
directing and governing the life by Jehovah granted to the 
creatures of his care, even to those, which are fed by the 
fountain He created in the feeding orb of nature's day ; 
who into earth's bosom pours liquid fire, to awaken the 
germes which in her womb are planted, to mature the 
fruit her bosom yields, causing all. in earth, seas, air, and 
skies, to breathe their Maker's praise. 

" Brutes and other creatures, inferior to man, have not 
power to think, to reflect, nor to reason with themselves, 
or with each other : they are guided to attach, faithfully, 
to mankind, by the instinctive spirit peculiarly inherent, 
planted in them by God ; as by him adapted to their 
nature : this instinct, natural to all, in order works, under 
the universal gubernation of his governing Providence : In 
some it breathes, a seeming, continual calm : in others, 
instinct, being at times influenced by inferior spirit, propels 
or restrains, apparently, according to the inclining or the 
stubbornness of their will : sometimes, when looking on 
man, they seem to disapprove of the glance of his eye or 
the expression of his countenance, and are seen to with- 
draw from him : also, at times, furiously rushing on him, 
they commence an attack ; their instinct being, by the pre- 
sentation of the object, or creature, spontaneously awoke, 
the instinctive, approving or rejecting, sensation appears 
within them working, and is immediately expressed and 
acted under in the spirit of their nature. — Often, thus, is a 
dog, a horse, or other creature to be noticed, as approving, 



70 A VINDICATION OF 






or rejecting the invitation of man, even as their nature may 
be docile, and as they are held in awe by the presence of 
God's image beaming from his mind, reflected to them 
from the mirror that opens to the soul : so are they of- 
fended at the appearance of the envenomed cloud with 
which Satan drapes the shadowed sinner ; and, the less 
that holy calm dignity of the Divine image which gave 
immortal glory to the first of the human race, be blotted or 
deformed, the more eager will the creature approach man, 
and in fond caresses, express eagerness of desire to be near 
him : this truth is so forcibly striking that, were not such 
opposed to the decretive counsel of God, it would almost 
seem to say that the creatures thus by instinctive spirit 
distinguished, possessed reason, and reflection : But, 
neither the brute creation, nor the inferior creatures possess 
or require intellectual faculties : When men contemplate 
them in the spirit of truth, it will be seen that their natures 
and powers, thus manifested, are in perfect harmony with 
the infinite Wisdom of God, who created all things, living 
for man, for his use and service. If men take surprise this 
should be written, or that any creature of Jehovah's crea- 
tion should flee from their presence, elude their grasp, or 
oppose their approach : Let them remember that offending 
man was the cause of that creature's degradation : They 
then will while reflecting feel 'twas man who admitted sin, 
to afflict the earth and all her offsprings ; when, in excess 
indulging, he permitted the poison in him to flow, and 
Satan to ascend the throne where while holy, Jehovah's 
Spirit reigned ; and therein to emit clouds which veiled, 
from his spirit eye, the glory of his Maker's image; leaving 
the creature in sin deformed, influenced by Satanic agency: 
Men cannot therefore in justice marvel, that the brute 
creation, afflicted by man's crime, should retire from the 
deformity which shadows him, or at seasons attack their 
peace destroyer, in him who, while he retained his 
Maker's likeness, lived beautiful in divinity ; and toward 



THE BOOK OF GENESIS. 71 

whom the instinctive spirit within them acted in peaceful 
calm, guiding and influencing, under the government that 
preserved them in subjection: they then were duly awed 
in the presence of the being who exalted lived in the image 
of his God, to rule and govern the creatures for him 
created. 

" Jehovah, having pre-ordained man, to have dominion, 
constituted him in a perfect and free condition, and breath- 
ing in him the effluence of his Spirit, therewith gave power 
to exalt him above other creatures, over whom he was to 
rule, and, governing himself and them, commune with his 
Creator; this 4 was given to Adam, and in him to his poste- 
rity : in Adam therefore as the head and father, under God 
his Creator, is seen a Representative for his children ; if 
disobedient, for their ill, if obedient, for their good : Thus 
for Adam and the branches that were to spring from his 
tree, the goodness of God had provided a store of blessed- 
ness, transmissible from parent to child, under the al- 
mighty and holy breathings of the most high eternal 
Essence, which was given to him and them, that they 
might in freedom partake, and enjoy : Not that man 
merited this distinguished favour, but, because of Al- 
mighty's merciful Love having in his Holy Spirit, Counsel, 
decreed, and ordained him, to be, his vicegerent here on 
earth, a representative of the King of Heaven, who is the 
supreme Lord of All ! Man being in freedom placed, to 
govern, on his happiness and liberty depended also the 
well being and freedom of the earth on which he lived, as 
well as of the creatures under his government. 

" It, therefore, was of the first vital importance that man 
should, with the power given him, govern himself, by 
living in obedience to the Divine Law which his Maker — 
— Jehovah imprinted in the fleshly tables of the heart, the 
soul's, then, illumined garden; and where his Maker's 
image in glory effulgent shone : But, from the beginning 
it was known, that if man transgressed the law of God, 



72 A YINDl CATION OF 

his nature would become corrupted, and, as a natural 
consequence, earth and her family would feel the afflicting 
deforming change ; because then sin would reign in the 
throne, where unsullied glory had divinely shone, draping 
the creature formed of earth and spiritualized by Elo- 
him's, heaven-inspiring, breath ; which caused a god-like 
dignity to beam from Adam's countenance, reflecting the 
image that reigned within the soul's illumined throne : 
this effulgence from him beaming ruled the brute crea- 
tion, caused the creatures around him to rejoice in free- 
dom, each being blest after his kind, approaching with a 
fond timidity and glowing awe, would conscious seem of 
the superior Spirit that distinguished him who created 
was in the likeness of his Creator ! So the lion and the 
lamb, fondling, his presence seeking, would, delighted 
crouch before him ; as their instinct natures, rejoicing, 
mingled to meet his smile ; honouring him whom the 
Creator of heaven and earth, had quickened, and placed 
to have dominion. Thus may men contemplate earth's 
family influenced by nature's Spirit's orb, whose fire con- 
tinual speaking at seasons, causes them to sing, in the 
works of God's creation ; whether it be in the ocean 
depths, on the snow-tipt mountains, in the clouded cavern, 
the spangled meadow, the richer forest, the verdant hill, 
or smiling vale, his power is felt by all, while gratitude 
renders tribute. — And yet do ungrateful men rebel, even 
to reject the Word of God, when all, inferior creatures, 
lift their late reclining heads, praising the First Cause — 
Creator. Life's fire, in their bosom again rekindled, they, 
breathing new morning dew appear, arranged in beauteous 
tints, flowers with each other vie : shadow being chased ; 
Nature awakes the morn to greet, smiling to embrace the 
day-preserving Orb : Did not that Fount appear : were 
not his beams permitted to inspire Creation's work : did 
not his glowing car go forth to pour his rays in earth, she 
would be left in the night of death, to sigh in chaos 



THE BOOK OF GENESIS. 73 

clouded ; tremulous hovering ; in the folds of darkness 
buried; deprived of light that now gives her power, to 
praise the holy God, whose Providence, in her instinctive 
spirit governing, redeems, by the Word, from the abyss 
of shadow ; guiding her to gaze on heaven. Holy Spirit 
light to man shines a spiritual freedom : But while exist- 
ing in the clouded garment worn by sin, in Satan sha- 
dowed, he is Belial's son, and delights to feed on the 
fruit of folly ; his soul obscured by darkening streams, 
veiled remains the mental eye, unable to perceive truth : 
In the gloomy field, wherein he is permitted to wander, 
alluring images flit in fancy's dreams, by Satan exhaled, 
to drape the soul in death. Men thus afflicted perceive 
not the saving luminary, except as a flaming sword, while 
they delight in the Mammon of unrighteousness ; nor 
can they rejoice in Jehovah's glory that feeds with the 
light of freedom, while they lukewarm exist in sinful 
clouds of slavery: — The spirit's eye unveiled must be, ere 
they will know their misery : their soul must be released 
from the death of sin, ere they will see the radiant robe 
of light that drapes the Word in Truth eternal. To them 
the Spirit of the Saviour saith, Seek, seek, by Faith and 
Works, your sight first to obtain, that you may be ena- 
bled, to look from your burdened soul seeking relief in 
Jesus' Blood, and through his mediatorial fountain-way 
be permitted to commune with, also to enj oy the peace of, 
God ! Embrace the saving light that feeds with light 
eternal : — Taste the oil of redeeming love that God through 
Christ to sinners offers : rejoice that to men is given the 
Book of Books whose perennial streams water the be- 
liever's Eden, causing the soul to bloom, ever yielding 
holy fruit, matured to meet her Saviour ! Come, come, 
from the darkness away, no longer remain bound in the 
nocturnal prison, unable to unbar your dungeon doors. 
Pray the Author of the Word who inspired his chosen 
servants to write the same, for man's good, to grant the 



74 A VINDICATION OF 

preserving beam to shine, bearing to feed the Spirit 
star, that guides the Christian to the Book by Jehovah 
draped in the righteous robe of Life eternal." 

Infidelity. " How did earth first become illumined?" 

Truth. "When earth an undulating body in chaotic 
confusion rolled, we have contemplated her, as inclining to 
the Spirit of God that moved upon the face of the waters : 
when earth so inclined then did the Word wield the sword 
of life in light illuming her instinct spirit, driving the reign 
of shadow thence pouring in nature's cordial, to kindle 
her innate fire, that under Him she her offsprings might 
prepare, to praise Jehovah their Creator ! And so it is 
with men who in Satan's clouded vale of death exist, sin- 
ful passions brooding ; feeding on the fruit of folly : for 
until holy desires awake in them and they, doing His 
will, faithful seek the Lord, approaching Him through 
Christ the Christian's Head ; they cannot know his glory : 
— But when their minds incline to the light His Holy 
Spirit gives, then Satan is driven from the throne of the 
soul ; by the flaming Spirit sword." 

Infidelity. "What influence has the Sun in Creation's 
Works within the bosom of the earth ?" 

Truth. " The Sun, piercing the spirits of Creation's 
Works, feeds the o'erflowings of earth's bosom and fills 
the generations within her hid, causing all to yield re- 
spondent to the quickening influence, and the maturing 
flow of the medium vivifying spirit which proclaims the 
approach of morn, inviting earth's offsprings to awake, and 
drink fresh vigour from his reviving smile; and, thirsting, 
they incline to him, each in his varying degree of beauty 
shines, being by a sun-beam, that is shot from that foun- 
tain flowing day, pierced and fed: so do all distinct honour 
pay to the luminary by whom they are inspired, preserved, 
and cherished : To him whose piercing rays enter, live, 
and act within them in the instinctive spirit's awakening 
impulse, causing the inferior creatures, and trees, herbs and 



THE BOOK OF GENESIS. 75 

flowers to acknowledge their Creator, by inclining, and 
living, obedient to his glorious emblem source : thus their 
instinctive eye regards the sun, as the medium through 
whom life and glory to them flow : while, in return, they 
grateful fragrant dews exhale, to enrich his glory hovering 
in the skies. Climbing the vault of heaven, ere he attains 
meridian height, the flora family smiling, yield their liquid 
sweets to the splendour of his glow, each saluting the de- 
parting ray with a last perfume, relaxed again recline, all 
on the parent plant, while he, to whom they have their 
homage paid, retires from them below the wave leaving the 
mother nurse, to re-imbibe her reviving dew and refresh the 
family in and on her bosom living. Thus, the sun, cre- 
ated by the First Cause Jehovah ! and governed by the 
same Almighty power, is ever feeding, and enriching, at- 
tracting and repelling, preserving the terrestrial treasuries 
full, of pure refreshing fluids ; which, at his approach 
awake, and grateful meet the feeding source." 

Infidelity. " At what watch may we consider the 
computation of time began V 

Truth. "Whether the temporal day be measured from 
sun- set to sun-set, as the Jews and the Mahometans 
do, or from midnight to midnight as Christians do, either 
will be found to be in perfect harmony with the spirit of 
the sacred Scriptures. But, if the second verse of Holy 
Writ be seriously entertained, it may appear, that when 
first called to be, earth was in midnight darkness draped ; 
shadowed, as the soul who exists a stranger to the presence 
of her God. Until the Spirit Holy approached the face 
of the waters, evening veiled the earth, and floated in her 
bosom. Now, as the orb of nature's day retires, a nocturnal 
robe she resumes : hence the night and the following morn- 
ing makes the day : — But, the darkness which was upon 
the face of the deep, ere earth illumined lived more pro- 
foundly terrible appears, than any natural darkness, that has, 



76 A VINDICATION OF 

since then, been felt.— According to this computation the 
ancient inhabitants of central and western Europe measured 
the day; and this agrees with the inspired language that 
tells us, when the earth began to be ; when terra from 
the death of night was awoke ; to enjoy the light of 
day." 

Infidelity. " May not the term day signify and 
include a superior portion of time to that we compute to 
be a day ?" 

Truth. " No. The name day used in reference to 
time, limits and determines, signifying light or sunshine, and 
is from night distinguished, as light from darkness is, by 
God divided. The time between the first appearance of 
light and sun-rise is the dawn : so, when the Spirit of God 
hovered upon the face of the waters, then did terra first 
luminous grow, on the vivified bosom of the new-born 
earth ; whose innate fire the torch divine had kindled ; per- 
mitted as ordained, so, to be, because, while existing impo- 
tent in the shadow of night, she looked up, inclining to the 
conquering spirit light that unto her shone day ; giving to 
her instinctive spirit ; the redeeming relief she sought . . . 
And so it is with the sinner, when he feels his need of sav- 
ing grace, and the eye of faith within him, is opened, the 
will then inclining to the disposition of the humble penitent 
soul ; praying to be guided in the way, Christ for sinners 
illumined, that men may draw nigh salvation's fount, and 
commune with their Maker ; the mind convinced, the soul 
converted ; the mental eye perceives the star that shines 
in the way to bliss : passing through the field of redeeming 
love, the thirsting spirit, by the divine effulgence won, 
bathes in the streams of light, and with the same permitted 
is, to enjoy her creating Parent's smile ! — Considering the 
question in the light of the Holy Scriptures, they prove to 
the convincing of every Christian mind, that in the compu- 
tation of time, the day is limited as determined in twenty- 



THE BOOK OF GENESIS. 77 

four hours ; such at the beginning being the divine appoint- 
ment, as pre-ordained, since then Christ and his people 
have considered the same to determine the temporal day, 
such now by Christains is acknowledged as a day ; the 
same number of minutes, or of seconds will constitute the 
hours Deity determined should be a day on earth, while 
on her bosom, time might run his race, and to eternity cede 
his throne." 

Infidelity. " Why is evening named before morning? 
Is it supposed the work of creation began in the even- 
ing?" 

Truth. " Believing in the Word of God and honouring 
its spiritual signification, the Holy Bible is felt to be the 
sinner's guide to heaven ; surpassing every other writing, 
even as the infinite mind of God exceeds the finite mind of 
man : as a Book inspired by the Creator of whose works it 
treats ; the true interpretation is that which meets in the 
divine attributes of the Almighty: and is applicable to 
the condition of man ; to whom it is given, as a guide to 
the presence of his Maker, whose humanizing and spiritual- 
izing truths it contains. Remember then : earth existed in 
evening shadow, in midnight sorrow buried, a burden to 
herself, in a cloud Of deathly hue, when creation's work 
began : then inclining to the life-inspiring luminary, the 
morn of day dawned on her bosom, and she first breathed 
in light. And so it is with sinners who thirst to receive 
regenerating light : by faithfully seeking God, they deli- 
verance from shadow find ; and living with him, who 
created them, they walk illumined in his glory." 

Infidelity. " May not earth have lived in darkness 
ere illumined by light ? " 

Truth. " No. Until light by God communicated was 
earth was uncreated, without a luminary, a shadowed no- 
thing she, till light generated her : 'twas then the moment, 
when Terra smiled ; the new-born star of light divine ! 
Where the Holy Spirit is there is light : but where that 



78 A VINDICATION OF 

Glory does not shine, there chaotic shadow in unholy- 
silence dwells : as an object of God's care, earth being 
pierced by his Spirit arrows, she awoke to life." 

Infidelity. " Do men err who think this terrestrial 
globe was at first created a smaller body than she now 
presents : and that a subsequent act, or acts of creation, in 
a superior covering of the earth may have had place, at the 
period distinguished in the Word written by Moses ? " 

Truth. " Yes. Men who so think do, greatly err : 
God through Moses saith : In the beginning God created 
the heaven and the earth, not the heaven and another, or a 
superior earth, therefore are these words omnipotent to 
satisfy the mind of every christian, since they show, the 
earth was wholly created by the Word at one and the 
same moment; according to the Mosaic account of the 
creation ; which is distinctly apparent by the article the 
preceding the noun earth : there the article limits and de- 
termines. " 

Infidelity. " How may the 27th verse of the Book of 
Genesis be explained to meet the pronoun them in the 
noun man?" 

Truth. " God, having predetermined to create man of 
the dust of the ground ; and to inspire his form of clay, by 
breathing in him a spiritualizing essence ; to reign in the 
throne of his soul; immortalizing the being within and 
around whom shone the divine glory, that distinguished 
man, illumined by, and living in the image of his Maker; 
whose spirit-star shone enthroned ; ruling within the hal- 
lowed Eden : feeding supernatural gifts : illuming the in- 
tellect : filling the soul with good : holding the will in 
subjection to her directing principle : preserving regular 
desires : and in divine knowledge revealing the will of 
God : observing the Law, man, holy lived, constant free to 
good : possessing all, enjoying all, to exalt him in his 
happy state of freedom : affections pure and moderate, 
were by celestial reason guided, while he used the ability 



THE BOOK OF GENESIS. 79 

and grace unto him given, revering the spiritual Law 
reigning in the heart. And, the overflowing Fount of 
Love, willing that man should solace feel in a help meet 
for him ; as pre-ordained so had wrought, that from him 
woman should be taken, in body and spirit formed both 
united, to live in terrestrial calm ; sighing celestial glory : 
thus twain in Adam were both created, waiting another 
creation; when they might walk two apparent who erst 
had moved in one : thus God created man in the image of 
himself: (i. e.) in the image of his glory: male and female 
created He them : then addressing them both in Adam : 
' Blessed them and said unto them :■' 'Be fruitful and 
multiply and replenish the earth and subdue it : and have 
dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the 
air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the 
earth.' This command Deity gave to those He had created 
and distinguished in the glory of Him whose image illu- 
mined the form man first presented ; wherein a companion 
for him lived. From man so created, woman was to be 
taken, that they, in due time might procreate ; and by 
multiplying their race honour the spirit which within them 
reigned in the glory of Jehovah : so lived they on earthy 
whose bosom o'erflowing yielded blessings for them pro- 
vided by their bountiful Creator: who gave them, every 
herb bearing seed, and every tree in which is the fruit of a 
tree yielding seed ; that it to them should be for meat/ 
' And to every beast of the earth, and to every fowl of the 
air, and to every thing that creepeth upon the earth where- 
in there is life ; God saith, I have given every green herb 
for meat : and it was so.' 

" ' And God saw every thing that he had made, and, 
behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morn- 
ing were the sixth day. ,# 

" From this verse men may learn, that in six days the 
heaven and the earth, with all things thereunto appertain- 

* Gen. i. 31. 



80 A VINDICATION OF 

ing, were by the Word created ; and, in the beauty of 
sublimity, breathing spirit pure : when God pronounced 
them very good" 

Infidelity. " Can cause be shown why learned men 
differ in the interpretation of the Scriptures ?" 

Truth. " Because those men who give an explanation 
that honours not the Spirit of the Word, wander in dark- 
ness, unable to perceive the Truth : therefore the fruit of 
their efforts is shadowed as the tree whence it springs : 
the cause made known, the effect is immediate traced, 
into the field of clouded nature; tho' men cannot per- 
ceive how far that shadow extends : — The explanation 
given of Holy Writ, should present illumined by the 
Spirit of the Writing God has vouchsafed to man, in the 
Book of Books, which is draped, and fed, in and, by the 
glory emanating from Jehovah's flow. The cause so 
many err, who presume to interpret the Sacred Page will 
appear, on reflecting that human nature is corrupt, and 
that men, delighting in the corruption which darkens the 
prospect within, and around them, shun the light, to 
indulge deathly pravity, and, moving therein, are unable 
to meet the Word of Truth ; wherein lives glory divine : 
rejecting that adorning for the soul, in their bosom guilt 
awakes, then conscience strikes ; while satanic influence 
exhales a cloud to blot of the Bible, the beauteous parts 
which are most opposed to features darkened and de- 
formed by sin : refusing thus Holy Spirit pure, to nurse, 
to indulge in matter's corruption: moving enemies to God 
and his Christ: fancying their mortal eye under evil 
tuition can inform them better than the Spirit of Jehovah 
whose truths they would pervert, in vain endeavours to 
drape the phantom shadow falsehood, with the Robe celes- 
tial of light and glory in Elohim living : A propensity to 
evil wanderings forces them beyond the limits Reason and 
God prescribes ; so oft as, in their dark imaginations, 
fancied forms are hovering : Under the reign of the mis- 




THE BOOK OF GENESIS. 81 

guiding governor, they labour hard to create and by him 
are advised to present to view life they claim, as the off- 
spring of their impotence. — A presumption this, akin to 
that, for which Lucifer from heaven was hurled, to dwell 
in shadow's gulph, eternal death in ruin plotting, dis- 
tanced far from knowledge true, which, in holy wisdom 
divinely shines to exalt the creature man : A science this 
that blinds the understanding and blots the soul with 
Satan's throne ; for there, the evil banner he unfurls, his 
votaries are won by the alluring charm, so in dark paths 
they stray from the way that illumined is by the Lord of 
light. A spirit eye they have, tho' they perceive not : the 
soul being veiled in shadow, their natural eye falsely scans 
the glories of the illuming Word : Unable to enjoy the 
beauties of God's creation, a mountain in his Word they 
find ; which out of the way they cannot remove ; over 
which they cannot climb; the treasures of whose bosom 
they cannot understand ; thus it remains a stone of stum- 
bling ; a Rock of high offence. Blessed be that Rock, 
therein Elohim's Spirit lives, even the Rock of Ages ; con- 
quering, yet, to conquer : there the Fountain flowing truth 
is found in whom man meets the Creator of all things ; 
the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, the uncreated, the ever 
creating, Trinity ! to whom angels hosannas sing, praising 
adoring the eternal King ; whose Throne is in the Heaven 
of heavens : whose footstool Terra is." 

Infidelity. " Have Angels been from Eternity ? Are 
they created beings and real substances ?" 

Truth. " The spirit essence of holy Angels have from 
Eternity lived, in the fountain source of the Creator God ! 
But as separate united finite intelligences the angels, 
guardians o'er man who was to be on this earth while 
time should run ; created may have been, with the nether 
heaven, and the earth, on the first day when time com- 
menced : Hence, might the holy Psalmist sing, ' Praise 
ye Him all his angels : Praise ye Him all his hosts : Let 

o 



82 A VINDICATION OF 

them praise the Name of the Lord : for He commanded 
and they were created ! ,# Also Jehovah ! out of the whirl- 
wind, calling upon Job saith, ' When the morning stars 
sang together, and the sons of God shouted for joy! ,v t* 
Here the Christian's mental eye is guided by his guardian 
angel to contemplate celestial spirits, offspring emana- 
tions of the eternal Tree chaunting unto their Creator, 
grateful songs of praise, when beholding the new-born 
earth, on whose bosom, and in whose womb, were to hover, 
while time might be, kindred spirits charges of their guar- 
dian care. Although the holy angels are invisible to the eye 
of sensual perception, yet the spirit eye illumined, may con- 
template them as real substances, without any corrupt 
bodily parts : immortal in their nature, finite essences, 
filled by God with knowledge and power: unable to work 
miracles, to know the hearts of men, or future events^ 
which contingent are : But created were they, pure and 
upright, with ample power, to live in favour with their 
Abba ! Creator ! as spiritual beings, agents-free, to praise 
their Parent in heaven, or blaspheme his holy Name in 
hell. While obedient to the celestial Law, blissful hap- 
piness from obedience flowed to exalt their spirits in the 
infinity of glory : But on abusing the Freedom given, they 
from the presence of God must be shut out ; and into the 
gulph of misery fall. Angels being in spiritual liberty 
created ; some, faithful proving ; preserved their bliss in 
Jehovah's Paradise. While others presumptuously trans- 
gressed His Law divine, and immediate from height of 
glory ; to depth profound in misery fell.— Thus were 
angels, created holy, divided into good and evil : some be- 
came devils by transgression and from heaven were cast out 
into hell, and there are reserved in everlasting chains under 
darkness unto the judgment of the great day.J Their 
spiritual nature, and natural faculties, still retaining, these 

* Psal. cxlviii. 1—5. f Job xxxviii. 7, % 2 Pet. ii. 4. Jude 6. 



THE BOOK OF GENESIS. 83 

are those who, by their wilful rebellion, lost the grace and 
favour of God, and incurred the justice of his eternal frown. 

" But the holy angels who pursued the paths of duty 
and of glory, still enjoy their fill of bliss: adoring, prais- 
ing, honouring Him from whom all blessings flow : and 
these are employed by God, to defend his faithful servants ; 
in all their works and ways : the holy angels stand before 
God, to perform his will; and glorify his name.* And 
they are all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for 
them who shall be heirs of salvation.f The angel of the 
Lord encampeth round about them that fear Him, and de- 
livered them. J .... The Lord God also permitteth 
Satan and the evil angels, in works of darkness, to try the 
good with temptations, and to assault the righteous, for 
the trial of their constancy, and graces : so doth God at 
times deliver the wicked into Satan's slavery, who leadeth 
them captive at his will."§ 

Infidelity. " May not the term day imply a year, or 
a longer period of time ? " 

Truth. " No. — The Hebrew word translated c evening ' 
is retained by some of the Greek Poets : Hesiod says, ' Out 
of Chaos came Erebus and the black night : and out of 
night Etlar and the Day.' Aristophanes saith; ' Erebus as 
the mother of night, brought forth a living egg/ Orpheus 
was of the same opinion. Thoughts like these may present 
a shadow of secondary sublimity : But how inferior those 
of Empedocles who presumes, ' that when mankind sprang 
originally from the earth, the length of the day by reason 
of the slowness of the lunar motion, was equal to ten of 
the present months : ' an assertion this without the resem- 
blance of truth, and directly at variance with the Word, 
man's guide. 

" God omniscient, omnipotent! made all things perfect; 
and perfection admitted not a varying: Jehovah, from 
eternity, knew what would be ; and in wisdom infinite pro- 

* Psal. ciii. 20. Rev. v. 10, 12. t Heb.i. 14. 

t Psal. xxxiv. 7. § 2 Tim. ii. 26. 

g2 



84 A VINDICATION OF 






vided for its being : with Him there is no variableness^ 
neither shadow of turning. The sun, the moon, the stars 
their appointed courses know and have pursued their duties 
regular, from the beginning until now, and will while time 
shall be on his way to the closing of his mission. 

" Mr. Whiston, in his dream of shadowed wanderings 
dark, was of opinion, that the six days of creation, were 
equal to six years, a day and a year being, as he thought, 
the same before the fall, when he supposes the diurnal ro- 
tation of the earth about its own axis began. To chasten 
this impious thought, men, believing in what is there writ- 
ten, should receive the Word wherein, at the 14th and fol- 
lowing verses it is written — ( And God said, Let there be 
lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day 
from the night ; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, 
and for days and years ; and let them be for lights in the 
firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth : and 
it. was so. And God made two great lights ; the greater 
light, the sun, to rule the day, and the lesser light, the 
moon, to rule the night : he made the stars also. # And God 
set them in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon 
the earth, and to rule over the day and over the night ; and 
to divide the light from the darkness : and God saw that it 
vms good. And the evening and the morning were the 
fourth day.' Jehovah made the greater light, the sun, to 
rule the day, and the lesser light, the moon, to rule the 
night. The Sun, fair emblem of Deity predestined to ap- 
proach at morn, and to retire at eve, as a luminary to rule 
nature's universal day : his life-feeding fountain when first 
made, was to be, for signs, and for seasons, and for days 
and for years in the firmament of heaven, to illumine and 
invigorate this maternal parent : days from years are thus 
distinguished ; as inferior portions of time, even when time 
began and earth's diurnal rotation about her own axis 
commenced ; her velocity has not varied, although she 

* Gen. i. etc. 



THE BOOK OF GENESIS. 85 

is burdened with sin: The Sun to whom her instinctive 
spirit eye hath looked since first fed by him with light, 
has faithful into her bosom poured his preserving regulat- 
ing cordial fire, sustaining the power that within her lives 
an unvarying moving principle, guiding and conserving 
under, the Providence of Elohim ! — The lesser light, the 
moon, emblem of the second Person in the blessed Trinity, 
being born under, and made to live in, the predominating 
influence of the sun, attended when first created, and now 
attends the fountain orb of light; without him she might 
not live, his presence 'tis that gives her life, she from his 
flow drinks day : by the fire of his spirit her lamp re- 
kindled is, she cheers the earth with a reflected smile : 
Thus governed by her Creator, since the sun first illumined 
her, that fountain orb and she their duty faithful have 
observed without any varying motion, to what was pre- 
ordained by the Author of their being, who regulated to 
regulate, who governed yet to govern, the heavenly offsprings 
of creation: all which in obedience live serving their Creator ! 
" The stars also, illumined spirits, harmonious join, fed 
by the universal flow, they awake to cheer the night that 
illumined soft, man may repose ; trusting in his God ; so as 
at first when time began to be, earth governed by th' 
Eternal One, her daily stage has known, and faithful she 
performs the same in the time by the Spirit of Eternity 
marked, even as pre-determined, while shadowed she with- 
out form and void a circle in infinity filled ; a vacuum dark 
unfurnished : ere she, the sun and moon, lived in Jehovah's 
light. — Who, having then appointed, did at first and now 
doth, by his conserving care, sustain all creatures in their 
being, causing them to work, as pre-ordained they should : 
God is not the author of confusion : working he pre- 
serves order in the motion of the creatures by the Word 
created: He is unchangeable; therefore nothing by him is 
changed ; his creatures produce their proper actions, in 
freedom, according to the nature He hath implanted in 



86 A VINDICATION OF 

them : their faithful spirit active, firmly fixed, established 
to live through time in obedience inclines unto the decree 
divine. — Man's woe is the effect of sin by serpent subtilty 
introduced, and embraced by man, when he from his 
Maker's presence fell, a slave to Satan a prey in death : 
But, although man permitted was to fall from life and 
blissful joy, to feel the power of hell, by which his nature 
experienced a change, which shock clouded the parent 
earth and the offsprings of the maternal bosom, yet her 
velocity did not vary, her stage diurnal she performed, as 
when time began to be : the motion of the heavenly bodies 
varied not ; but in order as when at first established they, 
obedient to the divine command, continued to move the 
same ; tho' then influenced all might be, to perform the ce- 
lestial mission veiled in heavenly sympathy, seeing that 
earth, having assumed her shadowing mantle, in the secret 
silence of accursed death, sin and sorrow brooded : yet 
more rapid or more slow on her axis she did not move : 
But, burdened then with sin, she in affliction laboured, a 
sorrowing mother; running her daily race. The fruit of 
disobedience having the spirit clouded, the same oppressed 
the offsprings of her bosom, as well as her inmost trea- 
sures, causing life's instinctive fire to burn in shadow deep; 
being unable to flee from the sin committed by the child of 
dust, made her spirit tremble : Still, in mercy to her bosom 
family the fount of day in glory radiant shone, feeding 
with the cordial of his chastening swords, preserving 
matter in life, to multiply her progeny, tho' the sinful 
vapours she then exhaled from her vision veiled the first 
effulgence of his brightness. 

t( ' Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and 
all the host of them.' 

rt ' And on the seventh day God ended his work which 
he had made ; and he rested on the seventh day from all 
his work which he had made.' 

" ' And God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it ; 



THE BOOK OF GENESIS. 87 

because that in it he had rested from all his work, which 
God created and made.' A Sabbath of rest was thus or- 
dained that man from labour might live free and faithful 
serve his Maker, by following with holy zeal the Divine 
example first unto him given; by the Author of his 
being." 

Infidelity. " Is there any other evidence to favour 
what you have assumed with reference to the time consti- 
tuting a day?" 

Truth. ** Yes, God's Word contains evidence, supreme 
divine, that transposition cannot cloud, which Satan cannot 
blot, when truth armed, in Jehovah's strength appears to 
wield his spirit sword. 

" When speaking to Noah God said, * For yet seven 
days, and I will cause it to rain upon the earth forty days 
and forty nights ; and every living substance that I have 
made will I destroy from off the face of the earth. And 
it came to pass after seven days that the waters of the 
flood were upon the earth.'* Here the Almighty takes ac- 
count of the determined time called day, as He the Creator 
did, when his Fiat holy had first gone forth ; when time 
began to be. The permitted change was caused by sin, 
but God tempted not the creature to transgress, neither 
did He sanction the transgression: His foreknowledge 
knew, what would be in time ; so did he provide that the 
working of the heavenly bodies should not be deranged 
thereby : true and unvarying the Creator is ; unaltered and 
true his creatures are ; save those whom sin doth stain : 
the time that distinguished a day before the Fall of man ; 
has been by God and his servants reckoned even as be- 
fore the sinner fell : the same now is, and will be by Him 
and them considered to limit the natural day, while time is 
on his way to the haven of eternity. — To the people of 
Israel, God gave a Law, in obedience to which they ob- 
served several feasts instituted by their Creator and Pre- 

* Gen. vii. 4 and 10. 



88 A VINDICATION OF 

server whose Providence rules over all his works to the 
benefit of the creatures by Him created: but more espe- 
cially for the benefit of man within whom lived and from 
whom reflected the image of the Lord Jehovah. — In the 
ordinances of the Law thus given were some which had a 
three-fold use, because they contained First — Something 
typical to be entertained in memory : 2. Religious or cere- 
monial, describing some special service ordained to be per- 
formed : 3. Of a typical and prophetical kind ; as relating 
to the Messiah who was to appear and prefiguring occur- 
rences divine counsel predetermined should be found in, or 
concerning the promised Redeemer : Two of those feasts, 
being peculiarly striking, in glory meet our present pur- 
pose : noticing them ; May the Holy Spirit fan a flame in 
the souls of men, and chase a shadow that yet may linger 
there, opposed to the true interpretation of the word day. — 
These two Feasts are distinguished as, the Paschal Feast, 
and the feast of Pentecost :— Proceeding for a moment to 
consider the uses and ends involved in these institutions; it 
is observable. 

" The feast of Pascha was instituted by Jehovah on the 
departure of the Israelites out of Egypt : and the divine 
command repeated upon the tenth day of the first month. 
When, a lamb was to be taken and killed on the Four- 
teenth day of the month at even, and to be eaten with un- 
leavened bread that night.* This was the beginning of 
the feast of unleavened bread : The solemn festivals and 
Sabbaths among the Jews began from the evening of the 
day preceding and ended at the evening of the day follow- 
ing, therefore the evening of the fourteenth day was 
counted in the day following, and thus are both recorded 
as the fifteenth dayjf which was distinguished as the first 
day of unleavened bread; so that day and also the seventh 
day following were observed with great solemnity while 
the feast of unleavened bread lasted. J The day after the 
* Exod. xii. 3. 6, f Lev. xxiii. 6', % Exod. xii. 16. 



THE BOOK OF GENESIS. 89 

feast the Priest was to receive a sheaf of the first fruits of 
the harvest and to wave it before the Lord: # Considering 
then that in Palestine corn harvest began early, about the 
time of the paschal feast, so may it have been about the 
time of the Paschal Feast when Christ's disciples plucked 
the ears of corn,f or the second Sabbath after the first 
which shows agreement with the computation of Sabbaths 
between Pascha and Pentecost, or the second Sabbath : 
It is also received among the Jews, that the feast of Pen- 
tecost, called also the feast of weeks, was instituted by 
Jehovah in remembrance of the giving of the Law upon 
Mount Sinai, on the fiftieth day after the first day of the 
first Passover, when the Israelites departed out of Egypt : 
■ And ye shall count unto you from the morrow of the 
Sabbath from the day that ye brought the sheaf of the 
wave offering seven Sabbaths shall be complete even unto 
the morrow of the seventh Sabbath shall ye number fifty 
days. 'J Here it appears the Feast of Pentecost was ap- 
pointed to be always on the morrow after the Sabbath 
day, on the first day of the week : and altho' there is 
a difference in the Christian computation and the com- 
putation of the Jews in relation to the paschal solem- 
nity; they both agree it was to be on the first day of 
the week, only the christian's computation of fifty days 
includes Easter- day: whilst the Jews' computation of 
fifty days began from the Pascha exclusive of the 
first day of the Feast. They came to Sinai in the 
third month. § On the third day following the Law 
was given. [| So that if their months be reckoned as 
the Egyptians, (thirty days to a month,) then counting fifty 
days from the fifteenth day of the first month exclusively 
for the giving of the Law : it occurred on the fifth day of 
the third month : But if they are distinguished as lunar 
months one twenty-nine and the other thirty days : it will 

* Lev. xxiii. 11. compared with Deut. xvi. 9. and Luke vi. 1. 

f Luke vi. 1. J Lev. xxitf. 16. § Exod. xix. 1. || Exod. xix. 11. 



90 A VINDICATION OF 

then appear to have been the seventh day of the third 
month : both of which agree with the Word ; and also 
with the tradition of the Jews, as relates to the instituting 
of this solemn Feast : shewing the Law was given upon 
Kar near the fiftieth day after their departure out of Egypt* 
— Striking also is the divine correspondency between the 
typical Paschal and the true Passover; the "Redeemer 
Jesus Christ ! A Lamb without blemish was slain : herein 
is seen an emblem and special prefiguration of the Holy 
God-man ! Not a bone of the Paschal Lamb was to be 
broken. # This was fulfilled in the Redeemer's death.f 
The blood of the Paschal Lamb was to be stroke upon the 
door-posts, as a propitiation against the visitation of the 
destroying angel. J The Blood of Christ was a propitiation 
for all who come to God through Him : The season 
wherein Christ died was the evening of that day on which 
the Paschal Lamb was to be slain, the fourteenth day of 
the first month — Immanuel having kept the Passover and 
instituted his Supper the night before his crucifixion. — The 
same night He was brought to the council, etc.§ The 
next day they brought him to Pilate who condemned 
Him to death, at the third hour ; or nine of the clock the 
same day : which day is called the preparation of the 
Sabbath. || — The day before the Sabbath.^" — So the prepa- 
ration, of the Passover, and the Sabbath drew on.* # — The 
Jews, therefore, because it was the preparation, that the 
bodies might not remain upon the cross upon the Sabbath 
day (for that Sabbath day was an high day,) besought 
Pilate, etc. ft This great day was also distinguished as 
being the fifteenth day of the month wherein was to be a 
solemn institution, or the first day of unleavened bread ; 
and also, because the Jewish Sabbath, or the seventh day 
of the week, followed this solemn Feast : After the Savi- 
our's Burial, the women brought spices, having rested on 

* Exod. xii. 46. f J° hn xix - 36 - t Exod « xii - 17 - § Matt - xxvii - 
II. Matt, xxvii. f Mark xv. 42. ** Luke xxiii. 5-1. ff John xix. 81« 



THE BOOK OF GENESIS. 91 

the Sabbath day according to the commandment : # but the 
Scribes and Pharisees rested not, for the day that followed 
the preparation they went unto Pilate to have the sepul- 
chre sealed.-J- Now upon the first day of the week, very 
early in the morning they, the women, came unto the sepul- 
chre bringing the spices which they had prepared, and 
others with them.f Thus contemplating the Redeemer's 
death and Resurrection it is perceived that He was cruci- 
fied upon the sixth day which was the preparation of the 
Sabbath ; and the preparation of the Passover ; that He 
rested on the seventh day, the Christian's Sabbath, and 
arose the first day of the week, which was the third day 
from his crucifixon : Christ the Christian's Passover, was 
slain the day wherein the Paschal Lamb was killed, the 
fourteenth day of the first month, which was the usual 
time for killing the Passover : § Also, among the Jews if 
any legal impediment presented, it might be put off to the 
fourteenth day of the second month : And the months of 
the Jews being lunar, their computation of the fourteenth 
day of the first month was the fourteenth day after the first 
full moon that happened after the vernal equinox, which 
custom was observed among the Christians, until, by the 
western Church under Constantine, it was appointed to be 
held on the Lord's day, according to a cycle established 
and observed in the church ; whereas the Jewish Paschal 
being unsettled was always observed on that day of the 
week the luna quarta decima happened. — The evangelists 
tell us, the Redeemer ate the Passover with his disciples, 
upon the fourteenth day of the first month ; in accordance 
with the Mosaical institution ; which was the night before 
his Passion : thus shewing the day of the Saviour's Pas- 
sion happened upon the first day of unleavened bread, 
which preceded the Jewish Sabbath, that followed the next 
day : by which it is seen, as Deity in holy wisdom pre- 

* Luke xxiii. 56. f Matt, xxvii. 62. 

+ Luke xxiv. 1. § Num. ix. 11. 



92 A VINDICATION OF 

ordained, the Redeemer ate the Passover with his disciples 
on the fourteenth day at even, and this, because He came 
to fulfil the Law in the spirit of its institution : A tradi- 
tion was also entertained by the Jews; that if the fourteenth 
day of the first month fell upon the first, third, or fifth 
day of the week ; the Paschal Lamb was to be the night 
following; so that the Lamb was slain the fifteenth day 
according to the tradition among them : So did the Jews, 
upon occasions of extraordinary importance, consider it 
lawful to anticipate a day in the eating of the Passover : 
and therefore the Saviour Omniscient, foreseeing his time 
to suffer draw near, may have anticipated the celebration of 
the Passover, having predetermined to institute his Supper 
before He departed, as from eternity ordained in the holy 
counsel of Jehovah : Hence it appears by divine appoint- 
ment the eating of the Passover by Christ man's Redeemer 
was upon the fifth day of the week, at even : and that 
that of the majority of the people and the priests was 
upon the sixth day of the week, at even ; on which Day 
Immanuel, Christ, Creator, God our Passover was slain, as 
from eternity entertained in the eternal Mind. Thus 
striking is, the death of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ 
on the Paschal solemnity ; more divinely so ; when it be 
considered that, from the first Pascha and the giving of the 
Law in memory of which the Feast of Pentecost was insti- 
tuted, there were fifty-one days : and, the like measure of 
time between the oblation of Christ (the true Paschal 
Lamb) and the signal mission of the Holy Ghost in the 
Feast of Pentecost. — So, upon that time wherein it pleased 
Jehovah to promulge the Law in the Old Covenant with 
the People of Israel ; He also was graciously pleased to 
publish the New Covenant and sealed the same by permit- 
ting the Blood of Christ to flow that from his redeeming 
Fountain sinners might drink salvation. — The giving of the 
Law distinguished was, by thunders, lightnings, and the 
voice of a trumpet exceeding loud, when the harmony of 



THE BOOK OF GENESIS. 93 

the heavens waxed louder and louder ; # saluting the ear in 
music's voice divine; to delight the sense of hearing: 
while the mountain burning with Jehovah's fire, in radiant 
glory on the Mount bright shone, to the sense of seeing af- 
fecting : Briefly this, by the Apostle is noticed, when 
unto the Hebrews making known the privileges of the 
Gospel .-{- The disciples of Christ having assembled in the 
Feast of Pentecost to celebrate the giving of the Law 
upon Mount Sinai : the day of Pentecost being fully come, 
they being all with one accord in one place, sudden there 
came a sound from Heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, 
and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And 
there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and 
it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the 
Holy Ghos^ and began to speak with other tongues as the 
Spirit gave them utterance. J— The promulgation of the 
Gospel was made upon this distinguished day, in perfect 
analogy of external signs : As, the rushing mighty wind 
impressing the sense of hearing, harmonizing with the 
voice of thunder that emanated from the Lord in the 
giving of the Law upon Mount Sinai :§ and the cloven 
tongues like as of fire, also, divinely corresponding with the 
glory seen when the lightning illumined, the mountain 
smoking : The Holy Ghost descending upon the Apostles 
gave them power to speak with tongues, audible and intel- 
ligible, to people of various nations, and languages : The 
Law was published to a full assembly of the Israelites : 
The Gospel was published to a full assembly of people of 
various nations. The Law was given in the Mount of 
God, Sinai in the wilderness ; so the solemn promulgation 
of the Gospel was made in the city of Jerusalem, the city 
of God and Mount Zion. Jehovah having so ordained, the 
promulgation of his Law began in Mount Sinai : and the 
promulgation of the Gospel began in Mount Zion: thence 
its branching streams and rivulets continue to glide, in more 
* Exod. xix. 16. f Heb. xii. 18, 19. J Acts. ii. 1, 2, 3. § Exod. xx. 18. 



94 A VINDICATION OF 

full and effectual flow, meandering on, far and wide, 
giving power in light, to the inhabitants of this world. And 
now; praying that the truths from holy scriptural authority 
deduced, may effectually still the agitation of contrary 
opinions, by carrying, with Holy Spirit force, conviction, 
to the unconvinced mind, of the truths touching the time 
that in the beginning, as now, distinguished a day ; we 
emphatically address the human mind, inviting all men, 
to bear in memory ; the oblation of the Messiah upon the 
day the Paschal Lamb was to be slain : His resting in 
the grave upon the Sabbath day ; which day was also 
distinguished as the first of the Feast of unleavened 
bread, it so falling as to unite two Sabbaths in the One 
whereon the Lord of life and glory rested in the grave : 
that rejoicing they may also remember, the resurrection of 
Christ the Creator and Redeemer, was upon the first day 
of the week : the day of the Creation of all things, when 
heaven and earth created were, and the day appointed by 
the Law for the oblation of the sheaf of the first fruits of 
harvest, which was to be brought unto the Priest : prefi- 
guring the resurrection of Christ who is called the first 
fruits of them that slept :* although the Paschal Feast was 
not limited to any certain day of the week, the pre-ordained 
coincidence to the seventh day of the week is distinguished, 
producing divine harmony in the incidence of time : the 
Omniscient Jehovah, appointing this day for the suffering 
of the holy Jesus, in counsel had pre-determined His 
resurrection to be the first day of the week; which 
day Christians commemorate instead of the Jewish 
Sabbath. Elohim also had decreed the Feast of Pen- 
tecost should likewise be on the first day of the week, 
that in the divine coincidence of the day of the Resur- 
rection and the day of the mission of Deity's Spirit, 
when the Holy Ghost descended on the Apostles, in the 
Comforter Jesus had promised to send them and from 
* 1 Cor. xv. 20. 






THE BOOK OF GENESIS. 95 

whom they power received to speak with other tongues, as 
the Spirit gave them utterance : All which caused the 
Christian Church to keep the Feast of Pentecost upon the 
Lord's-day, or the Fiftieth day after the Pascha Chris- 
tianum, when Jesus our God redeemed his own, and led 
Captivity captive. — The divine agreement in the concur- 
rence of those two great days give attestation to each 
other : whereas, had the Jewish Pascha not happened 
upon their Sabbath, the next Pentecost could not have 
met upon the Christain Sabbath : And this guides me to 
glance on the page where we learn, that Manna enriched 
with celestial dew, to the Israelites was sent, when they 
ungrateful murmured against their Creator and Deliverer ! 
Who, having in six days finished the heavens and the 
earth, the divine example established, and here recals them 
to their duty, saying : ' Six days shall ye gather it ; but on 
the seventh day which is the Sabbath, in it there shall be 
none :' not regarding this command, some of the people 
went out on the seventh day for to gather, but they found 
none. So did they transgress Jehovah's Law; yet his 
mercy spared them ; for pitying them He to his disobe- 
dient children said ; ' How long refuse ye to keep my Com- 
mandments and my Laws V e see for that the Lord hath 
given you the Sabbath, therefore He giveth you on the 
sixth day the bread of two days : 'Abide ye every man in 
his place/ ' Let no man go out of his place on the seventh 
day/ So the people rested on the seventh day. # " 

" And God said ; ' Remember the Sabbath-day, to keep 
it holy. Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work °. 
But the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God : 
in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, 
nor thy daughter, thy man-servant, nor thy maid-servant, 
nor thy cattle, nor the stranger that is within thy gates : 
For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, 
and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day : 

* Exod. xvi, 26, 27. 28, 29, 30. 



96 A VINDICATION, ETC. 

wherefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath-day and hallowed 
it'* 

" So ought men, in this their day, to revere the Spirit 
Word : if the Bible by them rejected be, Jehovah they 
cannot fear : while his Law men transgress, Christ's Gos- 
pel they offend, and unto their own immortal souls in 
misery quaff the venom of woe eternal. But, Christians 
unto their Creator pray, that all may be guided to meet 
the Spirit of truth in the holy Bible page : so, while sin 
shall blush at its own deformity, Christ's kingdom shall 
prevail in earth, and sinners, pardoned by Heaven's King ; 
live with souls redeemed." 



* Exod. xx. 8, 9, 10, 11. 



A VINDICATION 



OF 



THE BOOK OF GENESIS. 



PART IV 



" lam the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. — I am the vine, 
ye are the branches : He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth 
forth much fruit • for without me ye can do nothing." — John xv. 1 and 5. 

ARGUMENT. 

INFIDELITY disturbed approaches, wandering, to him 
the morning is cold and clouded, though nature's Orb 
shines bright and feeding, pouring into earth the living 
fountain's o'erflowings : 

Truth is seen, entering the field, in contemplation : 
—Sudden a voice is heard : " Again, spirit of my soul 
ascend, rejoice with the heavenly prospect, now in the 
mental garden seen; through the glory divinely flowing ; 
when Time the first Sabbath met : wherein, the spirit eye, 
may heaven view, and holy communion hold, with the 
habitants celestial : whom the Word creating draped, in 
glory's robe to shine : See earth's family budding bloom- 
ing fruit matured bring forth to man, that he may, in 
freedom, live, enjoying to enjoy, and faithful serve his 
God ; whose spark divine gladdens the soul, while be- 
holding the created works arrayed, praising the Lord Je- 
hovah : So the maternal parent's grateful bosom in the 

h 2 



98 A VINDICATION OF 

music of nature's solemnity sings, the perfections of Elo- 
him ; thus a holy tribute rendering unto, the Spirit, Word ; 
Creator ; whose truths we now retrace as seen divinely 
breathed by Him whose Spirit speaks." 

" ' Thus the heavens and earth were finished and all the 
host of them/ And on the seventh day God ended his 
work which He had made ; and He rested on the seventh 
day from all his work which He had made. And God 
blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it ; because that in 
it he had rested from all his work, which God created and 
made."' # 

Infidelity. "Were not every day blessed and sanctified?" 
Truth. " Yes, each and every day were blessed and 
sanctified in, and by, the Presence, with the preserving- 
power of the bountiful Jehovah ; according to his Word. 
But the Eternal's infinite Foreknowledge, knowing what 
would befal the being created to reflect his Maker's 
image, even that he would, by abusing the freedom unto 
him given, descend from heaven that fed the soul in life, 
to hell that dawned in death beneath : that because of mor- 
tal sin, received and embraced by them, more and more 
corrupt mankind would grow, and eventually make them 
false gods \ by worshipping which they, their sin-stained 
souls would deeper and deeper sink into the dark death- 
brooding gulph of never dying woe. — Man being by God 
created a Free-agent ; his Creator endued him with capa- 
cious power to continue in the blissful state of Freedom : 
his free-agency consisted in being free to act : therefore in 
this state was Adam and his child created ; in them earth 
and heaven united were, while they revered Jehovah's 
Law ; which Law imprinted was in the spiritualized tables 
of their hearts, wherein his Spirit Holy reigned governing 
yet to govern : While God his gifts and graces thus vouch- 
safed, He saw man would rebellious prove : and yet was 

* Gen. ii. 1, 2, 3. 



THE BOOK OF GENESIS. 99 

desirous he should repent and again reconciled be, to 
heaven and life eternal. The all-seeing Eye from eternity 
looking and glancing on time in his holy way, seeing 
what in time would be, provided to meet its being ; even 
for the evi! of that day ; by opening a way of reconcilia- 
tion in which the repentant contrite soul might move, and 
by faithfully seeking find grace and pardon, securing again 
his Creator's smile, to live in exalted bliss ; therein his 
freedom to regain : and although during the six days, in 
which labour was ordained, man might observe and enjoy 
his duty to the Almighty God, even as Christians do now, 
yet that mankind might more exalted joy in his presence 
know, God distinguished the seventh day as a day dis- 
tinct, when the shadow of inferior cares should not inter- 
vene, when, resting from labour, man might offer the 
sacrifice of a. contrite humble heart and pardon seek for 
sin embraced, when to Satan man yields himself a slave, 
tossed in the shadowing flood of death to exist in spirit 
woe : a woe which will eternal be to all who quit this 
earth unpardoned, to those whose spirit leaves the polluted 
clay draped in Satan's shadow, that's exhaled by the hor- 
ror of hell. To redeem from which, that sinners might 
salvation find, the Lord God hallowed the seventh day to 
be a Day of Rest, when in Prayer and Praise the disobe- 
dient child should more fully meet the forgiving Parent, 
and be refreshed with dew-drops from the heaven he had 
left ! Also, being blest with Reason, tho' that might be 
clouded, yet, when glancing on the works of creation 
around him, naturally to his mind would suggest such 
thoughts as, ' Who created the creatures I behold ? How 
long were they springing into being V To these inquiries, 
the Word gives immediate answer saying, { In the begin- 
ning God created the heaven and the earth.' ' In six 
days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea and all that 
in them is,' etc. So his Spirit Word saith God rested on 
the seventh day : Rut here it may be spoken ; men must 



100 A VINDICATION OF 






not suppose Jehovah was weary : No, Omnipotence never 
tires ; continually active He is, invigorating, to invigorate ; 
in his self existing Fountain of overflowing Rest ! — Thus 
consoling comfort to the soul, the blessed Book brings 
with its spiritual signification, so established from the be- 
ginning ; to be received with Faith that stumbling stones 
may disappear, that the difficulties darkness meets therein 
may vanish with the spirit shadow ; and eternal light illu- 
mine. Then the spiritualizing Tutor within will teach, 
that God in wisdom infinite knowing all things, pre- 
ordained and provided there should be a way open by 
which man, who by sinning would fall from life in glory 
to death in shadow, might again draw near the gate of 
heaven, reconciled to the Parent he had offended. Herein 
Deity established the First hallowed example, for man 
to follow, that he, remembering his condition and duty, 
with reverential awe and holy feeling might meditate on 
creation's work during six days, while in the duties of 
labour engaged ; and on the holy seventh day cease from 
toil and find his refreshed exalted soul more richly enjoy- 
ing Elohim's presence in communion with her God ! 

" ' These are the generations of the heavens and of the 
earth, when they were created, in the day that the Lord 
God made the earth and the heavens, and every plant of 
the field before it grew : for the Lord God had not caused 
it to rain upon the earth, and there was not a man to till 
the ground. ' # 

" * But there went up a mist from the earth and watered 
the whole face of the ground .'f 

Infidelity. " How may the sixth verse of the 2nd 
chapter of Genesis be explained ?" 

Truth. " Jehovah's word makes known to man, 'then 
God had not caused it to rain upon the earth : But there 
went up a mist from the earth and watered the whole face 

* Gen. ii. 4, 5. f Gen. ii. 6. 



THE BOOK OF GENESIS. 101 

of the ground/* meaning that earth's innate fountain 
flowed, yielding a mist of life which the glorious sun con- 
tinual drew from her inmost treasures, causing the ma- 
ternal offsprings to drink the living liquid and bathing in 
Jehovah's glory exhale her fragrant gratitude : 'Twas 
ordained her instinctive spirit should bleed a life to save 
her family : so in calm serene the grateful overflowing 
earth moved in splendour mild, breathing in the light efful- 
gent from nature's sun received her offsprings to illumine ; 
while delighted he into Terra's womb shed his influence 
benign, so she unclouded free drank life in from and 
yielded to the fountain-orb of natural day : Then, in 
nature, all was light in heavenly harmony laving, each 
creature communed with the other it being so ordained, 
that they in freedom should feed on bliss ; praising Him 
who gave them breath.— Creating all things perfect ; God 
supplied them with what was necessary to their preserva- 
tion and well-being, and placed them to act in a state of 
freedom, commensurate to the part they were to perform, 
in order to maintain the grand harmonious whole ; each 
and all distinctly, and collectively, containing suitable 
preserving elements to feed them with, and exalt them in, 
life, under the all-seeing Eye of God's governing Pro- 
vidence. 

" Earth within the limit marked wherein she moves, 
under Jehovah's directing care, contains preserving ele- 
ments : Deep within her bosom a liquid fountain lives : 
around which innate fire is kindled tho' held entombed by 
Jehovah's Presence, and with these spirits breathing life- 
sustaining air, meeting the pressure on her face by the 
First Cause is earth upheld, suspended from Jehovah's 
superior throne by a sun-beam divine which from the 
finger of Deity points. Looking up, earth unbosoms to 
the sun created by God to feed her with life in instinct 
spirit quickening, enabling her to view the orb whose 
* Gen. ii. 6. 



102 A VINDICATION OF 






arrows, piercing through her matter, daily opes the 
streaming pores that they may grateful bleed afresh ; at- 
tracting and repelling, passing earth's centre to and from 
the bosom of each hemicycle he drew, and draws, from the 
treasures of her central fount, as she inclines to inhale his 
refining luminary, that day to the thirsting spirit gives, 
awaking to inspire her prolific womb, by the herald that 
blushes the smiling morn. — Then Terra exhaled her virgin 
dew in misty till, at eve she drank from a cloudless sky, 
where zephyrs celestial hovered, enriching with heaven the 
fragrant liquid she had sent up to meet the sun-beam- 
shower. Thus, at first, earth journeyed on in harmony 
with other distant worlds obedient to the Law divine — see 
her overflowing with nectar mist which at morn to heaven 
from her sweets ascended, that the same might unto her 
descend in tear-drop full glistening in her smiling eye; sa- 
tisfying her evening thirst : giving her to repose in peace. 

" The change that has taken place, tho' permitted by 
Him, was not wrought by God : He is the Creator and 
preserver of order and harmony among his creatures : 
Jehovah is not the author of confusion : though when men 
rebel, he oft permitteth it, that good may because of evil 
more manifest spring, and blooming yield conquering 
fruit. ' With God, the thing that hath been it is that 
which shall be, and that which is done is that which shall 
be done : and there is no new thing under the sun willed 
by God, There is nothing new : it hath been already, of old 
time which was before us. One generation goeth away 
and another cometh, but the earth abideth for ever, though 
by sin oppressed. The sun also ariseth and the sun goeth 
down and hasteth to his place where he arose.' # 

" Creation's works assume their proper province all re- 
taining their primeval nature, though now afflicted by the 
sin Satan introduced to man's embrace : This man may 
learn from the Language of Philosophy divine which de- 

* Eccles. i. 4, 5. 9. 10. 



THE BOOK OF GENESIS. 103 

scribes the process of the creation it being in God — like 
dignity divinely adapted to the magnitude of the subject : 
therefrom evidence flows in tides of glory to convince men 
the Author lives and conquering reigns in the First Cause 
— Almighty ! whose every word is pure. # ' So God 
created man in his own image; in the image of God 
created He him : male and female created He them.' In 
the momentary glance directed to this sublime verse of 
Holy Writ; we have distinguished man and woman as 
created first in one : It now my duty is to unfold more 
fully this sacred text which Jehovah's Spirit inspired : 
proceeding in the illumined path we shall first, again look 
on man, unto whom by God this Word of truth is offered, 
and consider him in his natures distinct. 

" Having noticed the beasts of the earth, the cattle, and 
creeping things, the fish of the s£a, the fowl of the air; all 
vegetable and sensible nature : and seen that in all of these 
the Creator God hath implanted in the natural instincts to 
them given, certain rules, which, when their instinctive 
spirit moves them, are visibly observed as contributing to 
their production, preservation, and perfection : These may 
be called rational rules consistent with and adapted to the 
nature of the various creatures to whom they may be as- 
cribed, because ordained by God, and so by him esta- 
blished : and which the brute creation, and all vegetable, 
and sensible natures do constantly follow, but without any 
innate active Reason in themselves : their instinct spirit fire 
fed by the fountain flowing day, governed by the First- 
Almighty-Cause, under his directing preserving Providence 
live. 

" Earth created her treasures filled, beauties on her bosom 
blooming ; every thing good for food and pleasant to the 
eye appearing : man was formed ; that enjoying he might 
live above the creatures over whom dominion to him was 
given. Other living creatures which to earth belonged at 

* Prov. xxx. 5. 



104 A VINDICATION OF 

the bidding of the Word appeared : earth the maternal 
field, feeling Jehovah's command, forth she sent the off- 
springs of her treasures : first fruits provided for man 
whom Deity his Parent Creator deigns to distinguish, 
crowning him the sovereign of all terrestrial. In the se- 
venth verse of the second chapter of Genesis the Word 
saith, 

" l And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the 
ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, 
(i. e.) the breath of lives, and man became a living soul.' # 

" Here for a moment, we pause, the mind being con- 
ducted to look on man as he was by his Creator formed of 
the dust of the ground, a portion of earth's soil, wherein 
was material life that animated the being destined to go- 
vern the creatures before him created : see him waiting to 
receive the light he required, to be fitted to rule and govern 
those of creation's works God had committed to his care : 
see him receiving this powerful light in the emanation by 
Deity communicated into him, in the Breath of Lives : Be- 
hold his form of earth prepared to receive more holy im- 
pressions, when Jehovah deigned to transform his clay 
from which should reflect the image divine, feeding the 
child He had made of earth with flo wings to fill his reci- 
pient soul ; that man might enjoy the breathings of Holi- 
ness : communing with the source of glory that feeds the 
Heaven of heavens ! 

" See earth a body, the offspring of Infinity, gazing on 
the sun and drinking from his source : when the orb of 
day his Creator saw and into earth blushed instinctive life. 

" But, tho' on the maternal bosom, far, far more 
exalted man is seen, inspired and fed by Breath divine 
in spiritual holy communion he, held converse with his 
God ! whose guiding star within him lived, whose Essence, 
by hiui honoured, in spirit immortal reigned. . . The 
Breath of lives into Adam breathed, was also given to live 
* Gen. ii. 7. 



THE BOOK OF GENESIS. 105 

in those who might from him descend ; so is that Breath 
divine perceived by all who in spiritual freedom live, in 
the light of Jehovah's smile." 

Infidelity. " Did man live when first formed before he 
received the Breath of lives?" 

Truth. " Again, in the mental picture, look on earth, 
when she in evening shadow existed ; embosomed in 
clouded night: — Behold her then, illumined by nature's 
Day enjoying the influence which governed the instinctive 
spirit unto her given, to reign within her treasures in the 
herald that warms her bosom with life, as ordained by her 
Creator ! Pursue the picture and you see a particle of 
dust taken from earth's bed to make a superior Form, 
which form being made of the simple matter in which 
earth was created, partaking of no superior nature, must 
be an earthy creature, in whom it is true material spirit 
lived, in being, obedient to the Almighty will, when by him 
first created, as pre-destined to rule and have dominion 
over the creatures living created of the same maternal 
parent : But, notwithstanding the dust taken to form his 
figure was pure, and instinctively spiritualized by God, 
and nature's refining instinct quickening orb, it being but 
prepared matter, its earthy sensation could ascend no 
higher than the nature of material instinct purified, until a 
superior spirit gave power with Faculties to enjoy the 
glory-glowing draperies of the maternal garden, contem- 
plate her innate treasures, while enjoying her overflowings; 
revering his attributes ; adoring the Lord Jehovah ! 

"> The Word Creator, knowing man's need of superior 
power, that he might, holding dominion, rule and promote 
the glory of his Maker, deigned to breathe into his nostrils 
the Breath of lives, a spirit to live in clay refined, and in 
that spirit, a spark divine of Deity's Essence; beaming 
immortality : thus man became a living soul : so is the 
soul immortal ! ... By the breathing of her Creator God 
illumined ; a star from heaven was also given to reign in 



106 A VINDICATION OF 

her exalted throne therein to govern and guide the child to 
promote his Parent's glory : For now, quickened being and 
spiritualized by the holy Three in One ! man was acknow- 
ledged a child of bliss and communed with heaven's King! 
— Hence knowledge to us derived is, that altho' man's 
outward form was living when first distinguished by his 
Creator, yet, as a living soul man did not live, until Deity 
within him breathed the essential Breath of lives, which 
distinguished his dust from native earth ; and created 
within him the spirit of heaven. 

" In this third creation blest, 'twas then man lived ; his 
natures pure in his form and mind : free and happy his 
spiritualized eye might look around and viewing the hea- 
venly Parent there ; greet his approving smile. Man's 
peaceful soul then knew no swell, save, when the spirit's 
sun more ardent shone in flo wings from and breathings 
unto the Lord Jehovah, whose preserving perennial streams 
refreshed the first of the human race and watering the 
garden pure, reflected the image of God from man's clay 
refined, whom we thus contemplate indued with incorrup- 
tion, subject to a translation ; but not to a dissolution." 

Infidelity. " How are the natures of man to be dis- 
tinguished ?" 

Truth. " To notice more particularly the complex 
nature of man : First, in the wonderful work, to us presents 
his form of earth, as taken from the maternal bed and 
formed by the Hand divine; therein is seen man's earthly 
nature; and which, in the formation, see qualified by a 
moral nature to receive the holy Breathing of Divinity, 
whose Breath reigning in and beaming from the garden of 
the soul distinguishes man's spiritual nature : thus united 
in harmony were the, material, moral, and the spiritual. 

" See Adam formed of earth, as the name Adam implies, 
earth being matter, in her as an inherent principle of life, is 
material spirit, which may be, when in shadow, under the 
influence of inferior agency, because when active its im- 



THE BOOK OF GENESIS. 107 

pulse is inferior in material sensation : such sensation 
would, in the dust, have been predominant in Adam when 
first his form was called, to be prepared to receive intellec- 
tual impressions. The moral in the intellectual being be- 
stowed ; see a beautiful form of living earth within which 
is a dignifiable throne erected, whence avenues are opened 
wherein moral streams flow ; calmly waiting to receive su- 
perior life : Man's matter thus prepared and by his moral 
inclining disposed, to fit him for the duties appointed ; 
Jehovah, breathing into his nostril the Breath of lives, in 
life, gave him a spiritual essence which refined his material 
nature ; illumined the moral streams which fed the intellec- 
tual powers ; all of whom honoured the spark of Divinity 
given to reign in the spiritualized clay redeemed ; feeding 
the living soul wherein God's Holy Spirit reigned, in the 
preserving day-star shining from on high illuming the way 
of intercourse opened from the child on earth to the Parent 
in heaven ! — God having divinely adapted the lower 
natures of man to live under the government of the spiri- 
tual glory, that shone in the soul's illumined throne; 
nothing but what the being so blessed might observe was 
required of him by God, to preserve unto himself and his 
offsprings the unfading glories of bliss in immortality. 

" Distinguished by the Spirit of God immortalizing his 
form of clay which inclined to bathe in the fountain of the 
soul, where was the image of Jehovah while man enjoyed 
peace in the Paradise of his Creator. Capacity enlarged, 
ideas heavenly filled his mind, serene as the holy Foun- 
tain whence they continual flowed, refreshing, feeding, 
powerful to calm, but not to excite inferior sensation : All 
feeling, living under the superior government, acquiesced 
in the disposition of the Holy Spirit Principle given to 
preserve and to guide : unclouded he, the light beaming 
from Divinity illumined within, and shone around, draping 
in glory the beauteous form while in the Spirit of Free- 
Agency man repose enjoyed : From all, inferior to his 



108 A VINDICATION OF 

nature, free, created being immortal higher exaltation to at- 
tain by faithful guarding the watch-tower, as instructed by 
their God. For this end : ' The Lord God formed man of 
the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils 
the Breath of lives, when man became a living soul.' 
See in man a grain of dust awoke, by the gentle breeze 
of God's creative power, to assume the human Form, in 
whom, as in counsel holy pre-determined, Jehovah deigned 
to dwell it being a spiritualized temple holy, wherein his 
adorning glory, breathing hovered, when man first il- 
lumined, in light divine ; immortality knew." 

" And the Lord God planted a garden eastward in 
Eden ; and there he put the man whom he had formed."* 

Infidelity. "Was the earth planted and her import- 
ant features defined before man was created ?" 

Tuuth. " Yes. Earth's treasury being filled her parts 
were fertile, in beauty blooming : But, God his Creator 
having a property in him which gave Him a right over 
man, also that man might feel himself to be his Maker's 
child dependent on his Father's bounteous Providence; 
manifesting his more special favour; Jehovah Almighty 
enriched the natural terrestrial garden where mankind 
when created were placed ; to drink the riches of his glory ; 
in freedom there perfect bliss to know, or thence in bondage 
to be driven, as the soul might unto the will incline or ex- 
ercise control, for so might man fall for time or to eternity 
more and more exalted rise, in intellectual power ; and Holy 
Spirit enjoyment. — In this garden see Adam placed, where 
he might grateful be, using the Faculties in the light into 
him poured, diligent in Righteousness; faithfully serving 
God. 

" ' And out of the ground made the Lord God to grow 
every tree that is pleasant to the sight and good for food ; 
— the tree of life also in the midst of the garden — and the 
tree of knowledge of good and evil.'t 

* Gen. ii. 8. f Gen. ii. 9. 



THE BOOK OF GENESIS. 109 

" ' And a river went out of Eden to water the garden ; and 
from thence it parted and became into lour heads. 'f 

"The garden of delight where Deity put the man whom 
he had formed presents to us as being watered by four 
rivers which emanated from one flow : the names given to 
them in holy Scripture are, ' Tigris, called Hiddekel, on 
one side, and Euphrates on the other, which joining their 
streams, uniting in a place, where soon after the Flood, 
was the city of Babylon, thence passing through a large 
country and again dividing form the two rivers (by the 
sacred Historian called Pison and Gihon) watered the ter- 
restrial garden Eden, where budded, bloomed, and over- 
flowed choicest fruit in herbs, flowers, and trees continual 
yielding, to rejoice and invigorate those for whom the 
heavenly provision was made." 

Infidelity. f( What was the Tree of Life in the midst 
of the garden ? — And how may we know the Tree of the 
Knowledge of good and evil?" 

Truth. "That you may feel the force of the important 
truths therein to be made known : First, Let me remind 
you of the angels who, conspiring against God, were for 
their rebellion hurled from heaven to hell, until the great 
day : the sovereign of the infernal daemons was and is the 
spiritual serpent, the devil, whose seed is sin, as death his 
fancied victory is. — When the Spirit of Jehovah guides man 
to understand his Word it is perceivable that all visible 
natural things figure an invisible and spiritual nature: 
there is therefore a spiritual serpent, as well as a natural 
serpent : this spiritual serpent the elder is wherefore he is 
called the devil : he, a subtle Fiend destroyer from heaven 
was driven, to exist the prince of the power of the air, there 
in confusion of sin and death hovering in the way to hell : 
cast out horn heaven to the gulph where chaos floated : 
see the natural serpent subtilizing the dust of earth, and 
therein continual brooding hatching revengeful fire : driven 
* Gen. ii. 10. 



110 A VINDICATION OF 

from Jehovah's Paradise, distanced far, from God and 
man, in hell's dark dwelling of the dead, destruction plot- 
ting, Satan impotent hovered in clouds, confined, with rage 
and fury swelling. 

"Also remember: From earth, in dust, Deity had 
caused to rise, in undulating whirlwind cloud, man's Form 
into which, thus duly prepared, the Lord God breathed 
the breath of lives, when man became a living soul : See 
him then, on the best part of earth by his Maker placed, a 
spiritualized being, to live immortal, while faithful he did 
Elohim's will obedient to the Law divine. — The substance 
of that Law is by God through Moses to man made 
known, in the language spoken to him who lived a human 
tree, the father and representative of all mankind : ' And 
the Lord God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree 
of the garden thou mayest freely eat :' ' But of the tree of 
the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it : for 
in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.' # 

*■ As speaking to him, in the throne of whose soul the 
breathing of his Spirit lived : See Jehovah in import say- 
ing — i Son ! preserve thy essence pure in life, by revering 
my Spirit given to reign in her throne, to preserve thee the 
child I have created, acknowledged and adopted : Incline 
therefore to good : to guide thee in the way to superior bliss, 
the soul's effulgent sun within thee shines omnipotent thee 
to save ; while thou dost live obedient to my Spirit-voice, 
who silent whispering love divine in bosom light immortal 
speaks : In all faithfulness I with thee a covenant make 
promising thee and thy offsprings superior joys in life eter- 
nal ; into which my spirit lamp shall guide thee, in glory 
still increasing, if the duties my Law prescribe thou in all 
things faithful dost observe : As a Pledge and Seal of this 
Covenant made with thee and in thee with thine, thou hast 
received the Tree of Life : But forget not, — Remember 

* Gen.ii. 17. 



THE BOOK OF GENESIS. Ill 

thou wilt enjoy it only when living obedient to, and in a 
perfect observance of my Law. 

" So may man be considered bound by a divine Cove- 
nant, which prescribed to him the Law adapted to his 
nature as a dependent being, and, in his capacity as chief of 
creatures, the representative of the whole world. In the 
terrestrial garden the Lord God had placed the favoured 
child of bliss in his image divine created : whose eye con- 
tinual through him looking, and reigning in him, governed 
to direct ; that man's spiritualized Eden pure preserved, 
might in the glory of Jehovah's Paradise, live. 

u From the natural Eden a river went forth to water the 
garden ; and from thence it was parted and became into 
four heads, fertilizing the more delightful part of earth's 
maternal bosom, the habitation of man. 

" And now, being reconducted thither, Let us more dis- 
tinctly contemplate the spiritual Eden in the best part of 
man : where flows the living Fountain, or where exists the 
sin engendering clouded pool : Whence life in eternal glory 
blooms, or never ending death in spirit afflicting misery 
issues. — In this spiritual Paradise breathes in Breath 
divine Jehovah's Love to man, which ought to engage his 
most exalted thought : because into it doth flow and ebb 
the immortal fleuve to water the soul in breathings from 
the tree of life in man by Elohim planted to flourish and 
blooming yield accepted fruit matured : This immortal 
spirit Flow enthroned is in the heart of man : The heart 
being the receptacle, it also the emittant is of natural life 
in the fluid blood : and precious is each drop : But, how 
forgotten ! Admitted it is that the heart is the central 
flow where animal life predominates, but we have heard it 
rejected as the mansion of the soul, and this as it would 
seem, because many unbelievers who have sought to dis- 
cover her spirit never found it tangible : some have erro- 
neously called the brain occupying the part of the cra- 
nium designated by them, ' the painted chamber,' the seat 



112 A VINDICATION OF 






of the soul. # Truth speaks other things : The heart of 
man is not only the garden fountain of material life, but 
it also is, of spiritual life in man the receiving and the 
feeding source : thence are the issues of life or death. 

" The soul living in Adam illumined by Deity's glory pe- 
rennial breathing, her throne being within the heart; therein 
her governing spirit the sceptre swayed : thereto and thence 
four streams full continual flowing to and from the spiri- 
tualized treasures, branching rivulets issuing spreading life 
conveyed throughout Human Eden the garden of the soul 
whose spirit essence, though untangible invisible to the mor- 
tal eye, accompanied hovering in the fluid life : Thus may 
Adam — in the mental Picture be seen living in the blissful 
regions of Paradise, when gems more pure than gold in 
celestial glory glistened, within and, around the creature 
man : while the first of the human race obedient lived, 
his creative spirit freely drank Jehovah's Essence ; which 
caused the grateful heart to swell : each panting throb 
new glory breathed : man grew more and more enriched 
as the spirit influence from his heart proceeded, watering 
the Eden to preserve his dust refined : i How could this 
be?' Because, In God's spiritualizing nectar was the 
preserving tree of Life, ever enriching, continual blessing, 
more and more to bless; See the Eden of clay in perfect 
form by Jehovah's love celestialized in radiant robes of 
glory draped — a glory divine from the spiritualized body 
beaming spoke the presence of man's Creator! From 
dust, holiness transparent shone in effluence of the soul's 
immortal sun, where bloomed in blossoms yielding fruit ; 
the tree of life divine: From it as within him planted 
issued streams of living water, invigorating the body of 
man, increasing his mental power, and exalting his soar- 
ing spirit essence to commune with his God ! and this, 
because the Parent tree sprang from the eternal root into 

* Rev. Mr. Bull, Discourse on Languages. 



THE BOOK OF GENESIS. ] 13 

which evil could not be grafted whence evil could not 
spring : in that root is the Tree of Life sending forth con- 
tinual blossoms in branching streams, and spiritualizing 
showers of fruit celestial which in the accepted Eden ma- 
tured are ; by the Sun that shines ; Eternity ! 

" The good Adam from this Tree derived, he in true 
knowledge knew: its spirit gave him power to enjoy the 
good of Heaven in communion with Divinity ! — A know- 
ledge of ail which was good it yielded : that good within 
him lived exalting his soul, that he might preserve his seed 
in life : But his peace and life depended on an observance 
of the Law, his Maker caused, in letters of light, to shine 
within him, illuming in the path of duty. The Tables 
of his Heart then without a blot ; therein this holy Law 
was written ; and conscience in the reigning spirit spoke, 
' this Law thou must obey :' seek not to know more than 
it is meet for thee to know : then, of knowledge true in 
wisdom thou shalt possess thyself, and in o'erflowing 
abundance receive, to enjoy the pleasure known in com- 
municating of the treasures to thee given : Live therefore 
content in the garden wherein I thee a soul have placed, 
save when my spirit may lead thee forth ; to enjoy supe- 
rior glory ! — Thus we see it became man to live acknow- 
ledging the blessings provided for him, in heaven ascend- 
ing breathings of gratitude and praise, desiring not to 
know more than God knew was good, his child to pre- 
serve. 

" To be happy in his state of Freedom by using the 
Mercies on him showered, without abusing the Blessings 
with which his bliss was crowned, to avoid every excess, 
and not to yield to idol worship, were enjoined in the Law 
his Creator to Adam gave, for the best and wisest ends. 

" Satan fell from his first estate, when he and the re- 
bellious host desired to usurp the throne of God whose 
Spirit feeds the Tree of Life ; the presumptuous attempt 
defeated was, and the aggressors to the shades of hell cast 

i2 



1 14 A VINDICATION OF 

down, there to growl ; veiled by Elohim's frown, that 
awoke a hell within them. 

" The surety by his Maker given lived and reigned in 
Adam's heart : filled was the soul with overflowing good, 
to preserve her temple undefiled in freedom's smiling 
Eden ! 

" The command by God in Adam breathing, shews that 
if he yielded to idol worship, he would disobey Jehovah's 
Law, so fall from life to death. 

" To suppose man could disobedient be and still retain 
the perfect image of his Creator would offend the immacu- 
late Purity and holiness of God ! and also be at variance 
with the spiritual freedom wherein man then lived ; be- 
cause, in transgression sin would open the flood-gates of 
impurity, slavery, deformity, and death. 

" It has been and now is, seen that the God of Life has 
provided that the creatures of his creation may live in 
faithful obedience to Him enjoying the life and mercies 
from his Fountain flowing to them through the appointed 
mediums. 

" In the notice taken of the twenty-seventh verse of the 
Book of Genesis it has appeared that when first created 
man with woman moved as one : — Having so distinguished 
them in Adam ; a first command to them, in him God 
gave, blessing them, when he said, ' Be fruitful and multi- 
ply, and replenish the earth and subdue it; and have do- 
minion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the 
air and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.' 
— And God said, l Behold I have given you every herb 
bearing seed which is upon the face of the earth and every 
tree in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed, to you 
it shall be for meat.' 

" Thus, in the beauty of sublimity, the eternal Word, 
having formed man to be His vicegerent on earth, said — 
Be fruitful and multiply, which implies, that man and 
woman by the Lord of life and glory in holy love as pre- 



THE BOOK OF GENESIS. 115 

destined created were to live in purity, loving to love each 
other; and so to multiply their Race. That their genera- 
tions blest might be, in Almighty favour living, and their 
children as branching in wide-spreading rivulets flowing, 
calm pass on through time; Jehovah Omnipotent gave 
Adam and his, power, their integrity to retain, in the im- 
mortal Tree of Life whose branch within their bosom 
lived ; the offspring of almighty Love ! 

" The natural Paradise having been noticed as planted 
in the best part of the world : so we find the spiritual 
Paradise in the best part of man, the Heart, whence life 
proceeds : into that fountain God caused, and yet causes, 
to flow, from Him, the fleuve of life ; which dividing into 
four principal streams fertilized Adam's spiritualized Eden 
of dust. Elohim's Presence living in, and shining from his 
temple, filled the sacred sanctuary with treasures more 
precious, in fruits more exquisite, than the finest gold or 
gems : Out of the natural Eden went a river to water the 
garden, thence it parted and into four heads became. To 
the Heart of man flowed the holy life- feeding nectar of 
eternal Day ! thence issuing and returning filling four po- 
tent streams which unceasing fed each branching rivulet 
preserving celestial Dew expanding throughout the Eden 
pure. — This blissful sun-shine of heavenly calm, for a 
season man enjoyed: his soul the living luminary knew, 
and with the spirit's feeding Spirit holy communion 
breathed moving in the way celestial ; walking with his 
God ! — Happy thus in freedom's Field smiling immortality ! 
Of all the creatures on earth created, see man the most 
exalted : blest with heaven's choicest good : placed be- 
tween his Friend, and his enemy : between Light and 
shadow : between the pure Glory of Jehovah, and the 
guilty stain of Satan : between eternal Life in Regions of 
unfading Bliss ; and everlasting woe in hell's dark gulph 
of ever-dying death. — In Freedom on earth was he to 
choose, as his soul might yield, to the will's inclining. 



116 A VINDICATION OF 

While innocency in Eden smiled the Tree of Life blooming 
within fed the soul with holy fruit : In the natural Para- 
dise Jehovah's Providence governed giving vigour to ani- 
mate all that in the garden grew : and when the Lord God 
put man there, the Tree of Life was in the midst, for in 
Adam's Tree was God! — Man's spiritualized Eden of 
dust was a Paradise wherein Elohim's Spirit flowed and 
ebbed; in the light of life and immortality: — By his 
Almighty Maker in him the Tree of Life was planted to 
branch out in his faculties, bringing forth ideas from the 
fountain of the soul, to bud and bloom in grateful accents 
of prayer and praise yielding Holy-Spirit fruit matured : in 
return to her garden, living treasures continual flowed to 
enrich man's mental store; thus earth with heaven joined 
in Eden's quickened dwelling, God's temple pure was 
guarded, thence Adam's spirit-eye, looking up, might 
calmly gaze on his creating Parent's glory i Created he 
an Agent-free, as Angels before they fell : Deity's spirit 
distinguished him, in a breathing soul illumined : Jeho- 
vah's star her Faculties fed with radiant rays, emanations 
from Elohim's source, the spirits' resting place; giving 
vigour, light and life, in immortal day, to exalt Creation's 
noblest birth on earth's maternal bosom, where celestial 
joy; crowned terrestrial peace: while Man from living 
waters drank to assuage his spirit thirst, Jehovah's Essence 
in the Tree of Life fed the sun that within him shone the 
richer Blessings of parental Love divine ; whose spirit 
guide led the way where he should walk his Maker's 
Image to honour, that the same Feature holy might from 
Adam's tree branch in trees, and in his offsprings live, in 
seed, seeding seed. 

" When, at God's command, earth took her form a first 
creation was, from which at the bidding of the Word a 
second creation came forth in beings from her created — in 
earth's maternal garden behold the female tree of natural 
life ; a tree then impregnated by the arrows shot from na- 



THE BOOK OF GENESIS. 117 

ture's orb of natural day which pierced and quickened 
giving instinctive spirit power to live and reign within her 
moving and feeding every creature which in her womb con- 
ceived were, or from her bosom sprang — Earth, created by 
the Word : prolific she became, a natural maternal tree 
holding generations in embryo hid : but fruit she did not 
yield until light bid her bring forth : So, the feeding fount 
of nature's life in the sun created was, to pierce awaken 
and inspire earth and her thirsting family : Thus governed 
by the Great First Cause the sun feeds earth with life rul- 
ing in and over her day. 

" Also, as from eternity ordained, that this world whom 
God had in mercy redeemed from shadow, might not, in 
the sun's absence, be left in chaos darkness the moon was 
made by his Word to temper the night with hallowed 
glow, that earth pale smiling should reposing feel the in- 
fluence benign reflected from the intermediate ruling Body: 
and be reminded of God's Presence who Omnipotent, in 
nature shines a trinity : Elohim's eternal Power fills the 
sun with life : of that life the sun pours into earth ; the 
maternal parent grateful exhalations yield : her offsprings 
venture forth to meet the smile, of their fountain flowing 
day. 

" Man being created to enjoy primeval day in the Para- 
dise of God, streaming light divine illumined him guarding 
in the path of duty along the celestial road : living in 
Freedom he in Eden knew repose Paradise breathed serene. 
But, being dependent on his Creator God for inferior as 
well as for superior life, even in his happy state as a finite 
being he required a Law by observing which he might 
due reverence pay unto the King of Heaven. — We have 
seen, a Law to him was given and by the finger of Jehovah 
written in the life feeding tables of the heart. 

" And the Lord God commanded the man saying ' Of 
every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat : — But of 
the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not 



118 A VINDICATION OF 

eat of it : for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt 
surely die.' " 

" In these verses the path of duty is marked : by God 
the line is drawn : obedience is enjoined, in life: and dis- 
obedience noticed as sure to open the way to death. 
Created to live on earth, and to have dominion over the 
creatures on the maternal bosom living : of the fruits of 
Eden's garden, budding, blooming, yielding, for enjoy- 
ment rich matured, they might freely eat : But their creat- 
ing Parent-Spirit had in love admonished them, to be 
watchful, ever on their guard, lest folly should from their 
freedom flow ; to cloud their souls in slavery : on these 
conditions the riches of creation were by their Creator unto 
his children given : their souls fed by the Tree of Life, from 
whom flowed salvation, filling the hallowed Eden with good 
wherein was power, which if used in spiritual purity holy 
desire breathing, exalted (and exalts) mankind to preserva- 
tion in the Presence and Paradise of Jehovah : But if, in 
using the Blessings by God for him provided, man in- 
dulged excess, the indulgence sinful would idolatry be : 
since his love, or passion, for the creature with whom 
God had blessed him, must influence a forgetfulness of the 
Love superior and Duties sacred, he owed to his Creator, 
who created the mercies on him showered. 

" The Tree of Life, the Breathings of the Lord, in their 
Eden temple planted, preserved them in the glorious free- 
dom of its governing sun-shine, while they obedient con- 
tented lived. 

" Had he whom Jehovah's glory created to reflect his 
image on earth, conspired against the immortal Tree, it 
would have placed him in a state resembling that Satan 
and his legion knew, when they from heaven were driven 
to exist in offending hell : such sin against the Lord of 
Life and Glory would have shut out man from bliss to 
experience death eternal : By permitting intermediate 
agency to seduce him from his Maker, man must trans- 



THE BOOK OF GENESIS. 1 19 

gress the divine Law and immediate fall to temporal 
death : to redeem him from which, a holy ransom was 
required. 

" In the command given unto Adam, it is perceived, the 
Omniscient, foresaw man would tempted be, and also that 
to temptation he would yield : Yet the Freedom in which 
mankind were created essential was, to constitute their Free 
Agency : so were they made perfect ; strong in their Crea- 
tor's strength, to stand while they for deliverance unto 
their Refuge living looked ; or to fall should their soul, 
when influenced by the intermediate agent, cause the will 
to incline to the evil suggestions of the adversary who 
wrought within their dust to offend the Law of God. — 
Thus in their first estate a blissful freedom they enjoyed : 
A choice was set before them; power they had to distin- 
guish : All good things were given in the fruits they 
might enjoy; nothing from them withheld that could pro- 
mote their bliss, not even their heavenly Parent's Spirit 
for that hovering in and from their heart, reigned in their 
hallowed Eden, filling the garden with heavenly Dew, 
which continual breathed the Presence of God within 
them and with whom their spirits communed, so did his 
glory in Pearl-drop tinge mingling in radiant rays divine 
their holy Persons drape : Effluence of the Tree of Life, 
within them living, budding, blooming, yielding immorta- 
lity : because it was the eternal Source, who had ordained 
man should live, while in thought, desire, word, and act ; 
he obedient, honoured the Paradise i' the midst of the 
garden where was the tree of life, and also where, tho' 
clouded, grew the inferior tree of the knowledge of good 
and evil ; to taste of which was death, its fruit conveying 
a mortal lesson in the knowledge of good and evil : of this 
tree man could not taste and live: by inclining there- 
unto, sin engendered was, the act immediate consummated 
mortal death ensued, pursuing the human race, man's 



120 A VINDICATION OF 

nature changed became; and from incorruption he into 
corruption fell." 

Infidelity. " In the Prohibition, was not restraint 
laid on Man's Free-Agency V 

Truth. " No. Man's Free-Agency consists only, in 
being created free, blessed with Power and Faculties by 
using and exercising which to the honour and glory of the 
Giver man may rise higher and higher in the heaven of 
spiritual liberty, where servitude in slavery cannot enter : 
this truth distinguished is, seeing that when men pass the 
boundary of freedom's field they become slaves to pas- 
sions foul, which provoked are and fed by the prince of 
hell who leads sinners captive at his will, when they yield 
to his bondage slavery. 

" The Divine command given to preserve man, reminds 
him of his dependance on God to whom he was bound 
by a covenant not to transgress the Law it enjoined, un- 
der pain of his displeasure, loss of the freedom he enjoyed 
in Deity's Paradise, and banishment from his Presence 
into the shadow of clouded death. 

" By planting his Law in the heart of Adam, where 
Life's Fountain nectar flowed, shows desire in God to pre- 
serve the child created to reflect his own likeness ; therein 
is reference to the unholy tree whose fruit afflicts with 
death. 

" To live under and enjoy the fruit of the immortal 
tree of life, is freedom : — To eat, in the desire to taste of 
the tree of good and evil provoked Jehovah's frown, and 
keeps men as yet shut out from the presence of their 
Maker. — As it was, so it is ; the Almighty intending man's 
salvation freely gave the mercies provided, to preserve his 
freedom while on his way through the vale of Time to the 
mountain of Eternity, prohibiting only the evil which 
would rob him of his liberty, by draping his soul in death. 
— That Adam might exalted live, the saving lamp in him 
grew, glowing in his conscience, in characters effulgent 






THE BOOK OF GENESIS. 121 

shining by him understood ; continual shewing that while 
he lived and moved as instructed by the Lord Crea- 
tor, he would more and more exalted rise in the heavenly 
Paradise : And, if disobedient, that foul corruption would 
him pursue, even unto the death. 

" Also, in love divine, to increase his happiness : the 
Lord God said, l It is not good that the man should be 
alone ; I will make him an help meet for him.' # 

" e And out of the ground the Lord God formed every 
beast of the field, and every fowl of the air ; and brought 
them unto Adam, to see what he would call them: and 
whatsoever Adam called every living creature, that was the 
name thereof. 'f 

" f And Adam gave names to all cattle, and to the fowl 
of the air, and to every beast of the field ; but there was 
not found an help meet for him.' "J 

Infidelity. " How were the cattle and all the crea- 
tures brought before Adam ? And, How could he know 
the names adapted to them?" 

Truth. " God the Creator and Preserver of all his 
creatures, formed man to have dominion, as a Representa- 
tive of his spiritual Government upon earth ; blest then 
was he with power to fulfil the duties his Maker's Law 
enjoined, also with full knowledge of the natures of the 
creatures created to live under his government. — This 
Knowledge lives in the holy Olive tree, the tree of life, 
which yielded and continual yields the oil of celestial 
wisdom to blossom only where Jehovah's Essence and 
holy attributes are honoured. This inspiring teaching 
nectar filled Adam's Eden guiding him, in the observance 
of his duties, to use the powers unto him given in the Pre- 
sence of spiritual Day. — Prepared each duty to express 
because, his soul illumined was continual fed from the 
Source of Knowledge whence heavenly wisdom he derived, 

* Gen. ii. 18. f Gen. ii. 19. % Gen. ii. 20. 



122 A VINDICATION OF 

so that spontaneous flowing in the mind images bearing 
names, in light, presented ideas born of God ! emanating 
from the fountain of Holiness wherein Adam lived : his re- 
flective Faculty being impressed acquiesced therein : the 
soul to truth inclining, the will obedience yielded, the 
herald then, in secret silence of the mind, communed with 
the organs of the brain, which conveyed the divine Com- 
mand thus given to the tongue, the Faculty of speech each 
name pronounced under the directive influence present in 
the spirit-breathing tree of life whose glory fed the soul's 
Resource causing her pure streams to flow in truth's and 
power naming the creatures of each kind, as they appeared 
according to the qualities which most distinguished them : 
this Knowledge original is in God ! God to Adam gave 
it, that through him it should pass freely bearing with it 
the power unto him given, to promote his Maker's glory. — 
Also. The instinctive spirit in each creature living, go- 
verned by their Creator, being directed by the voice which 
silent in them speaks to appear before their ruler : to him 
they immediate came and from him their names received, 
as adapted to their natures, so have they been by them 
known, and will be while time his journey makes on this 
terrestrial Eden, where erst man's primeval sun shone con- 
tinual spring : he a heavenly nature breathing, all his de- 
sires were pure as sanctioned by his Maker, thus they holy 
flowed from the Author of Creation ! to animate, inspire, 
propel, restrain, subdue, regulate, calm, and preserve him 
while he obedient lived, faithful to his God. — The immortal 
Principle in the tree of Life, being, the Essence of the 
triune God, its Spirit the Sun of the soul ! its Body infinite 
Glory is, its Robe a splendour beams which mortal eye, 
may not gaze on and live, its blossoms Peace, its Fruit 
Salvation, under its Branches heavenly Consolations 
breathe; yielding joys divine! feeding the streamlets 
wherein flowed intellectual light, to awaken and delight 
the sense, to illumine and strengthen the Faculties, caus- 



THE BOOK OF GENESIS. 123 

ing nature in him to breathe a calm unruffled wave of glory 
to enrich celestial air, while his holy temple flourished un- 
dented in the Paradise of Jehovah ! — But for Adam there 
was not found an help meet for him. — The terrestrial 
garden fruitful shedding her overflowings in the provision 
made to delight the Representative of Deity, who seem- 
ingly needed only a social companion to perfect his bliss. 
This the Almighty had foreseen, and for the need provided. 
— # Causing a deep sleep to fall upon Adam that Deity's 
secret working he might not see; while in the depth of 
slumber unconscious of the work performing in the Presence 
of God's creative spirit when the Word from Man took 
the Part which in him first created was, in time to appear 
as woman, in the seed first in Adam created conjoined 
uniting in sympathizing sentiment breathing holy calm, 
invisible to the mortal eye Eve's figure would have been : 
Yet view the sex distinct sensibly known within him in 
soft endearments of the mind : in blossoms of holy love. — 
The manner of Adam's delivery of this his other self, 
veiled was from him while sleep embraced his form 
and into that type of death lulled his perceptive sense. 
Wisely so ordained in Holy Spirit counsel, it being a work 
divine, to be performed only by the creating Three in 
One ! Thus, in soft slumber entranced was he, when 
the Lord God from him took the Part which when per- 
fected was to be a companion while on earth, all happi- 
ness with him to share, pure desires to gratify, his felicity 
with life to crown. 'Twas to this end woman from man 
was taken in solemn silent solemnity, as formed in beau- 
ty's mould distinct, yet to be attracted by the tree whence 
she was taken, prepared to exhale her peace breathing 
sweets, in the bosom of him from whom she parted was, 
to meet in superior bliss ; and in his presence a fond 
affection smile, the purer riches of hallowed love : flowing 

* Gen. ii. 20, 21. 



124 A VINDICATION OF 

from love divine.— Jehovah's smile, distinct united, on 
them his glory shone. Woman from man was taken 
while he slept the sleep : soon Adam awaking recognized 
the Part first, with him and, in him formed, appearing 
then to bless him in a Fruit plucked from his Tree, 
wherein a garden unto him was given to cultivate, that 
therein he might plant seed containing seed, to bloom and 
seed ; all to be nourished by heavenly manna, and re- 
freshed by the water of life I issuing from the immortal 
tree that within him blossomed the fruit of Life eternal ! 
This exalting duty to Adam was by God appointed, as 
the head and Parent of her Jehovah had for him created 
and in Love divine unto him brought, to be the Mother 
of the human Race ; who from her garden were to issue 
as blessings given by their Creator to multiply his crea- 
tures joy. When, as sin had not shadowed their beau- 
teous forms, naked they might be and not ashamed ; being 
draped in the righteous Robe of glory whose Effluence 
reflected immortality ! — See Adam so distinguished blest 
in faculties branching from an exalted soul, whose throne 
was in the heart where the fount of life unceasing was with 
holy rapture and adoration swelling : A terrestrial Eden 
for him planted where he and his might in innocence 
freely drink from the cup of bliss by their God for them 
created and filled to overflowing full : See Adam the hu- 
man tree in the midst of creation's favoured field ; in his 
mind, ideas serene and heavenly, floating, soaring from 
Light to Day: his natures enjoying spiritual sympathy 
in the effulgence of the Spirit Sun, whose saving lamp 
illumined the Paradise of Holiness ! enriching the sur- 
rounding scene while the spiritual Eden breathed ; holy 
thoughts in calm. Man in spiritual freedom exalted lived. 
Communion with his Parent Tree enriched the expanding 
mental field of glory : gave light to enjoy the Blessings on 
him showered, while he honoured the Paradise where, in 
the soul's illumined throne, Deity shone beaming divine 



THE BOOK OF GENESIS. 125 

effulgence from the image of his child, to increase the flow 
of mental offsprings in holy-spirit seedlings. See the 
Parent of man drink delight from all around, feeling his 
Maker's voice at eve whispering in the gentle breeze : 
that peace proclaims to the harmony of the grove : 
until accepted offerings at morning blush, in grateful 
dew, ascend to greet Sol's inspiring mantle. His mirror 
eye perceiving truth in all on which he delighted 
gazed, the mental vision might pierce through time and 
contemplate the Heaven of heavens where Eternity 
is enthroned; in the majesty of Jehovah! whom he with 
holy fear approached as a fond child drew nigh a 
loving Parent; even so would Adam seek his Creator's 
smile, while he lived to honour the Tree of life ! whose 
branching splendour illumined the Eden temple wherein 
the Pulses of spiritual Sensation with hallowed feelings 
panting soared higher and higher to meridian height of 
glory : no passion wrought within, where seraph spirit 
zephyrs fanned preserving holy calm : if the bosom knew 
a swell 'twas when gratitude ascended to the Author of 
his being : around man sacred splendour, serenely shone 
from his tree of holy-day : while peaceful he could view 
nature's feeding orb at summer noon breathe liquid life to 
the tranquil bosom piercing with his golden arrows the 
silent profound o' the emerald deep. — When the sun of 
Eternity, his faculties ruling governed nature's clay, in 
purity Adam and his fair daughter lived in Eden's blissful 
grove ; receiving visits from spirit-angel-kindred-minds ; 
adoring the Lord of All ! gratitude breathing to the 
Fountain of Good who had consecrated dust of earth and 
elected them heirs of heaven. . . . Here also behold Eve, 
(i. e.) Cheva or Chiah, Life : in whom see life's angel 
Form : Adam's daughter blest, adorned with all exalting 
graces, glowing in virtue's opening Rose blushing charms 
celestial : within her, immortal spirit, smiled conquering 
sweetness hovering ; while that we may not name, mingled 



126 A VINDICATION OF 

with morning dew ; breathing love divine ! . . . Formed 
in nature's perfect mould, the child from Adam taken was 
attracted to the Parent-tree who lived in her paternal 
spouse : In Eve, the fairest of Eden's flowers, Behold ! 
her who created was, to breathe, bud, bloom, yield, fade, 
and die : to know the love living in Elohim's smile, while 
they wielded the guardian sword, given to repel the sha- 
dowing torrent passion. See her attended by celestial 
graces; as Aurora blushing; so glory's Dew-drop ripe, 
when morning smiling dawns, glistens in the eye : thus 
conscious Eve appeared, while he for whom she was 
created, in silent rapture, gazed on her who lived for him, 
a sacred garden unto him given, holy breathing sweets to 
yield ; promoting the harmony of nature's works in the 
glory of their Creator : thus blest, in bliss they lived, and 
love inclined to the voice of Life in him who was her 
parent-head, and guide, and in whom, while Jehovah they 
adored, lived the acknowledged ruler. She, dust immor- 
talized, to conquer man, in soul to whom united, her heaven 
glowing eye splendour beamed, as Sol's rays potent to still 
the swelling flood : seraph beauties from her adorning 
sparkled like living arrows shot forth to pierce the emerald 
deep : Life's mingling radiance, around her person in glory 
draped, shone the Robe of Righteousness : drapery given 
by nature's God ; whose Tree of Life taught them to 
know ; the Author of Creation ! " 

Infidelity. " May we suppose that Adam and Eve 
were in twin-form when first created — conjoined only by 
some vital material Part? If not, How could Adam 
know, ' She was bone of his bones, and flesh of his 
flesh?'" 

Truth. " No. It may not be supposed to have been 
so : as will appear if it be borne in mind, that when earth 
at God's command appeared, then was a first creation : so, 
in due time, at the bidding of the Word, from earth then 
created, a second creation into being sprang. — In earth's 



THE BOOK OF GENESIS. 127 

natural body see the tree of natural life prepared to be 
impregnated by the tree of nature's instinct spirit living in 
the feeding orb of natural day, who was charged with 
instinctive life to fill every creature in her womb, engen- 
dered and quickened, from her bosom to be born. — The 
Fount of natural day, by the First Cause governed, and 
filled, from his faithful medium a golden arrow flies, bear- 
ing the thread of instinctive life, within which is, the ruling 
power, to preserve each creature in his respective family 
and order throughout the wide Creation of all internal and 
external creatures, in their distinct generations. — Thus may 
earth be looked on as a natural maternal tree, in her dark 
nature dead, requiring to be pierced by the sun-beam of 
her inspiring source, whose heralds of life awaken and feed 
terra's numerous family. — In relation to the earth, view the 
sun as God's ruling and feeding agent living under and 
sustained by the Fountain of eternity ! — In the picture, see 
earth created, with time's generations in her bosom ; each in 
his kind and form. — Adam and his offsprings were to have 
dominion over earth's family, and therefore superior to 
what was before, on her created he and in him his, were 
placed to govern and direct : Blest, as the spiritualized 
Representative of his Creator, a shining light was he, 
illumined that he might illumine those who from him 
were to issue : a human tree, in glory created, containing 
seed in which was seed, and, in his seed was Eve created ; 
when first with her parent spouse, they twain moved in 
one : until the moment Almighty counsel had appointed : 
then while fragrant sleep called Adam to enjoy celestial 
vision, a mysterious work divine did the Lord God per- 
form which unto man hidden may remain, to awaken his 
wonder and admiration ! ' As thou knowest not what is 
the way of the spirit nor how the bones do grow in the 
womb of her that is with child ; even so thou knowest not 
the works of God who maketh all.' # The First Cause 

* Eccles. xi. 5. 



128 A VINDICATION OF 

produced a second creation, in human form, when, as 
taken from Adam's essence a maternal parent appeared : 
in the seedling plant Deity had, from her head and father, 
taken, a spiritualized female tree arose, exalted in im- 
mortal beauty, breathing Love's subduing graces: Par- 
taking of Adam's nature, in her heart the tree of life, fruit 
of holy affection yielding, in sympathy's sentiment, to his 
exalted soul; rejoicing by her presence; with her "breath- 
ings, blessing : In the form of dust ; behold a natural 
garden, by her Almighty Maker spiritualized, and given, 
to rejoice him of whom she formed a part, whose fruit she 
was; her Eden immortal flourishing; when innocence in 
glory shone : A being through Adam derived, with him in 
the tree of life she lived ; and unto him was fruitful made, 
to multiply their kind ; to increase their mutual bliss ; 
blest in Elohim's smile ? The Parent from whom man's 
generations were to spring had issue in Eve, the partner 
of his love ; with whom he was placed on earth, to have 
dominion ; and there to procreate. 

" Looking on man in the image of God created, the 
mind is conducted to view him a corporeal, spiritualized, 
being, presenting comeliness, holiness reflecting, where 
dignity in authority smiled to grace his majestic form ; 
fitting him to have dominion on this terraqueous globe ; 
In the tree of life, rooted in the fountain of the Heart, 
the image of his Maker reigned : Deity there his glory 
breathed, causing refreshing streams to flow throughout 
the Eden pure; whence offerings in spirit prayer and 
praise, communed with the feeding source in whose robe 
the spirit was draped reflecting glory from the soul : nor 
did this effulgence man forsake; while God was in his 
Eden honoured. To the Parent Adam, Jehovah had in 
Eve his child, vouchsafed a fruitful field, taken from him- 
self: that her garden should by themselves be honoured ; 
in them and their offsprings, in the Paradise of God where 
the Tree of Life watered their grateful souls with Deity's 



THE BOOK OF GENESIS. 129 

exalting Essence • which lived above distanced from the 
tree whence issues, in torrents dark, the knowledge of good 
and evil ; accompanied by its attendant death : Therefore 
when living in the light of his Maker's presence Adam 
said, ' this is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh : she 
shall be called woman because she was taken out of man :' 
thus it is written, ' Man is not of the woman but, woman 
of the man/ 

" l And they were both naked, the man and his wife, 
and were not ashamed :' Purity cannot feel shame; inno- 
cent they were ; sin had not then deformed ; clothing they 
needed not : when around them the sacred halo breathed ! 

" But remember, there was the chief of fallen angels, 
the adversary of God and man, who, being first created a 
celestial spirit, was then perfect in his kind, Satan the 
chief, in his condition; until presumption in ambition's 
hour was blasted by th' eternal frown : when he to the 

lake of misery fell This leads me to where 

awaits the answer to your penultima question : attention 
therefore is invited to the 31st verse of the Book of Genesis; 
there it is written : 

" ' And God saw every thing that he had made, and 
behold, it was very good. And the evening and the 
morning were the sixth day.' 

" God having created all things very good, there were 
nothing created by him wherein were good and evil. 
These names therefore must have reference to a being 
created holy, who first knew good only ; but having fallen 
from his first estate of bliss became the source of evil. — 
We have noticed angels finite essences created in freedom's 
celestial field to ascend into more glorious exaltation, or to 
fall down to hell's abyss of eternal woe, according as its 
substance might in obedience live, or disobey the Law 
celestial; in rebellion against the King of heaven. As 
finite intelligences, created free, they required a Law ; the 
Law was to them made known : among them there were 



130 A VINDICATION OF 

who used the powers given to promote their Creator's 
praise : Others transgressed ; the transgression involved 
them in the shadowed pool, wherein is hideous spirit de- 
formity; in sinful clouds of death. The spirit apostate 
thus fallen, in consciousness of the past good he had en- 
joyed, and the evil present with him, and in which he then 
sought glory, must to christians distinguish the tree of the 
knowledge of good and evil whose flower is sin ; whose 
fruit is death ; that undying, groans to die. 

" In the old serpent called the devil we distinguish that 
tree : A spiritual serpent he, the permitted prince of the 
power of the air, from heaven driven, for rebelling against 
the most High. Being banished Jehovah's presence, and 
distanced from his Angels : plotting he, with his legion 
conspired, against the favoured children of God, who 
when created lived, uniting earth with heaven ; heirs of 
immortality, in the tree of Life ! 

" To the adversary, thus from heaven, shut out, to be 
the Prince of the power of the air within earth's orbit and 
to affect her exhalations, see him permitted to afflict and 
cloud the creatures of her womb if man's soul inclining to 
his suggestions enslaved the will to sensuality. 

" The Lord God having formed Adam and Eve and 
spiritualized their dust, their bodies his temple became, 
made by his Almighty hand and consecrated the spirit's 
house : the throne wherein Jehovah reigned : whose es- 
sence, glory eternal beamed, filling Holiness in the vast in- 
finity, crowning the Heaven of heavens. — Man, reflecting 
the image of God could bear the o'erflowings of Elohim's 
Presence, while illumined by and communing with his 
spirit good : the will, inclining to his soul's affections fix- 
ing on things superior, all centering in his tree of Life ; 
branches being shooting therefrom, enriching ardour 
breathing : passion then unknown ; the sword of conscience 
had not alarmed the creature man; or ruffled peaceful 
calm. 



THE BOOK OF GENESIS. 131 

" Of the creatures on earth see Adam the head and 
sovereign Ruler ; under his Creator : within him was the 
Tree of Life in the spirit of Omnipotence ; the Power of 
Light ; the Lord of All. — Whose Law to man revealed his 
Will : But for this Law the field of knowledge would have 
been a sealed book, so it in the tables of his heart ex- 
panded, showing, in letters of life to his mental eye, Jeho- 
vah's Law divine. — The necessity of this Law I have 
traced to its unholy source. — Also, seeing man was 
created a free-agent ; had not a Law been given and an 
observance of the same enjoined by the Law-Giver, it 
could not by man distinguished be whether Jehovah's At» 
tributes were in His own Essence Holy, or borrowed from 
another : neither could he discern that which teaches man 
to know himself, as dependent on his Maker, whose bless- 
ings to him descended : Man could not appreciate Jeho- 
vah's smile : if by sinning he did not incur his frown : 
Virtue would not be loved because living in the way to 
life and glory, did not sin exist clouding the path of 
misery and death ; the christian spirit loves her God be- 
cause his Essence Light is Virtue, the conscious source of 
love divine, whose wells preserve the offsprings Christ re- 
deemed. Did not Light shine, man could not distinguish 
it from darkness : If the effulgent star of Life did not at- 
tract our soul to God, the Spirit could not shrink back 
on herself, or holy Refuge seek, on beholding the gulph 
of Satan yawning beneath, to drink her into misery, woe, 
and death's unquench'd ; unquenching hell. 

" Adam's sons and daughters were enabled to dis- 
tinguish whether their Parents did Jehovah's will, by 
bringing their conduct to the Standard planted within 
their own bosom and testing the same with the truth their 
Maker's Law presented, which Law imprinted was in each 
heart : and according to the shade in which the Law of 
God appeared setting the deed before the mental eye, so 
was its nature by the spirit interpreted : thus might they 



132 A VINDICATION, ETC. 

in light or shadow walk, even as taught to understand, and 
to observe the Rule of Life prescribed. 

" Hence, it is perceived, a cause flowed from Satan's 
source, the effect of which would be permitted, to punish 
man, if by disobeying the Law of Light, he ungrateful 
proved. — We have seen the command God gave to pre- 
serve the children of his glory. — Man, as a Free Agent, in 
his first estate, knew, that in the Tree of Life flourished, 
as watered by the Eternal, the holy Tree of Liberty, and 
being created by and in its Light; to live under its 
Branches constituted his privileged Freedom, and this he 
fully enjoyed, while holy fear, in exalted adoration, from 
his derived essence, ascended to his Maker : This sacred 
fear crowned by love divine, for a time, preserved him in 
the bliss of immortality. Nor could man have offended 
had there not, under the control of Omnipotence, been a 
shadowed abyss into which Disobedience would force him. 
— There was, and is, that dark lake, as a bottomless pit, in 
guilty spirit floating blowing corruption's air, there the 
spiritual serpent reigned, therein he is the permitted 
prince, who, having his impotence discovered when in 
heaven envy and rebellion possessed his jealous spirit, now 
sought to defeat the purpose of Almighty God by ap- 
proaching to offend the soul preserving star which reigned 
in the Tree of Life; feeding Deity's children with oil of 
Love divine. 



A VINDICATION 



THE BOOK OF GENESIS. 



PART V. 



"■ Blessed is the man that endureth temptation : for when he is tried, he 
shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them 
that love him : — Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted 
of God : for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any 
man : — But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, 
and enticed. — Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin : and 
sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death." — James i. 12, 13, 14, 15. 

ARGUMENT. 

TRUTH. — " Morning smiles. — Again I see thee, feeding- 
source flowing nature's light, shooting thy arrows from 
the east : now creation's works awoke chaunt the grateful 
matin song ! Ah ! Had Satan power, he would veil thy 
orb in shadowed night, and in chaos bury Terra's beau- 
teous family. But, praised be thy glory, though the Ser- 
pent potent is, where sin is nursed ; a sun-beam dart re- 
sists his power ; because it breathes in light ! — Fair em- 
blem of Deity, thy glorious luminary unveils another 
day, to awaken those who sleep : and speaks th' attri- 
butes of the Essence which unto man thou dost give in 
the image of thy glory ! yielding to him, producing in 
him qualities resembling Thee our Creator ! in Life, In- 
tellect, Will, Goodness, Love, Mercy, Clemency, Patience, 
Justice, Truth, Holiness; and Power. Which rivulets 

l 2 



134 A VINDICATION OF 

branch from the soul that's fed by thy o'ernowings, to 
reflect Thy Presence from within the temple wherein Thy 
Name and Word is honoured. — Holy muse of Zion ! In- 
crease in us Thy light : Let us attain to a closer union 
with Thy Effluence ; holy Three in One : Let us Thy 
Image more resemble ; in the breathing Thou dost vouch- 
safe : Feed our soul with light, and bless the truths 
we may express : Bring all mankind to know, that in Thy 
Essence, eternal Father ! thy Son eternal lives, from eter- 
nity begotten : and that from the Two proceeds the Holy 
Ghost, the Comforter, who, equally co-eternal, is sent to 
guide the ransomed to salvation's door, where Immanuel 
waits to introduce them into eternal Rest ; in the City of 
our Creator God ! Whose fount of day flowing to re- 
fresh earth's instinctive spirit vigour; awakens gratitude 
in the soul of man, while she rejoices in the covert of the 
tree of life that planted is by nature's God in the Paradise 
of Love! — See! The adversary comes: And, strong in 
Almighty strength, forth I go, to meet him on the ground 
his governing Spirit may choose. 

" i Now the serpent was more subtle than any beast of 
the field which the Lord God had made. And he said 
unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of 
every tree of the garden ?'" # 

Infidelity. " Did the serpent appear visible to the 
eye of sense, moving erect; or, did the reptile, insinuating, 
curling wind its way to Eve's notice playing among the 
flowers, grass, or branching shrubs? Or did he ascend 
the tree and gather fruit to tempt Adam's daughter?" 

Truth. " It was unnecessary the serpent should move 
erect, or in any shape appear visible to the mental, mirror- 
eye. — Besides, had the serpent been a reptile or any 
creature moving on earth, Adam would have had power 
over him : since to man dominion was given over all ter- 

* Gen. iii. 1. 



THE BOOK OF GENESIS. 135 

restrial things that lived upon the earth. # — Also, the ser- 
pent was more subtle than any beast of the field which the 
Lord God had made. — He was, and is, the spiritual ser- 
pent. Neither was it necessary for him to enter any 
visible form to assault mankind, other than that he in- 
habited which will present, so will his nature and subtlety 
develope in hideous darkness, as we advance into nature's 
garden. 

" ' And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat 
of the fruit of the trees of the garden : 

" ' But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of 
the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither 
shall ye touch it, lest ye die."'f 

u ' Now the serpent was more subtle than any beast of 
the field :' He may therefore be considered as the spiritual 
serpent working in the earthy nature of Eve, inflaming 
her material life. — The beginning of this chapter relates 
the conference entertained between the shadow sin hover- 
ing in her dust influencing matter in Satan's subtle art^ 
addressing Eve's reasoning Faculty. Not a tangible 
serpent ; But, the same spiritual Serpent, the enemy of 
God and man, that works in the material nature of every 
created human being : this enemy we bear about with us,, 
in our Flesh, there he in ambush lurks, warring against 
the spiritualizing emotions of our soul, wherein Jeho- 
vah's Spirit illumines • to guide man in his glory! The 
first offspring of the human tree with her parent expe- 
rienced the destroying influence of the same permitted 
power of shadowed air : Satan the author of confusion and 
disorder : a fallen angel he, a celestial sun eclipsed ! 
shadowing the gulph, where chaos rolled and reigned, 
where Terra now moves burdened with sin, from which 
she becomes released as Christ's Kingdom may prevail ; as 
his Spirit sword shall conquer: — But remember, Satan 

* Gen. i. 28. t Gen. iii. 2, 3, 



136 A VINDICATION OF 

cannot, could not, prevail if mankind guarded the watch- 
tower, if the will did not enslave the soul when the spirit 
of shadow working in man's dust invites to evil, but then 
the soul lukewarmly acquiescing becomes the principal in 
crime ; and Satan having taken his prey at death's fan- 
cied victory, laughs. 

" All mankind have felt, and while time may be will 
feel, the powerful working of the Peace destroyer who 
having permission to hover in earth, had, and has, permit- 
ted power to afflict all men if they incline to evil. Holy 
men of whom we in the Bible read, knew this : the Human 
nature of the Redeemer experienced the tempter's subtle 
wile: The Apostle Paul when sensible of the serpent's in- 
fluence said, ' Now if I do that I would not; it is no more I 
that doeth it but sin that dwelleth in me.'* ' For the Flesh 
lusteth against the Spirit and the Spirit against the Flesh.'f 
— Behold, now, in the menta'l field the spiritual serpent in 
sin acting, in the dust of which Eve's Eden Garden was 
made : suggesting to her thought lies to affect the mind, 
and, provoking sensual feeling to win the will, to unholy 
inclining : See the daughter of man in Reflection's field 
affected by the suggestions of the promoter to evil, for a 
time, repelling his foul streams of death : while he pre- 
sents to her vivid mental eye, a florid deceptive picture of 
the attainable enjoyments, to be secured, if she would 
listen to his voice and yield to his influence. — The Serpent, 
knowing that mankind were never so near a Fall as when 
at the highest summit of permitted enjoyment: prepared to 
destroy, at the moment of exaltation. — Afraid to attack 
the first image of God he allured the thought of the female 
tree, inviting her to yield to excess, when in the fond em- 
brace of her Parent Spouse, whose tree in seedling shower 
unto her by God was given : See the serpent then insinuat- 
ing, to the unsuspecting child of Heaven's care, that if her 
parent yielded to her inclining, such could not interrupt 

* Rom. vii. 20. t Gal. xvi. 17. 



THE BOOK OF GENESIS. 137 

Eden's calm: that she might safely enjoy and attain to 
higher knowledge, while Adam her head, her parent and 
her guide participated in the indulgence, his subtle lie pre- 
sented to their acceptance : Thus then he ventures to sug- 
gest, saying, ' Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of 
every tree of the garden ?' i. e. Hath God said ye shall not 
indulge to gratify every feeling inherent in your nature? 
shall ye not take even as seemeth ye good ? ' And 
the Woman said unto the Serpent, We may eat of the 
fruit of the trees of the garden.'* i. e. We may indulge the 
feelings of our nature, and gratify every desire in purity of 
holiness, wherein we were created, to glorify our Creator 
in procreating. ' But of the fruit of the tree which is in 
the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat 
of it, neither shall ye touch it lest ye die-'f i.e. God hath 
said, Ye shall not do as Satan the Serpent who is infolded 
in your Eden of clay may suggest, neither shall ye desire 
to yield to his suggestions unless ye die, Life ye now en- 
joy ; death presents j if you forsake the Tree of Life, whose 
branches ye are, then will ye fall to death — both are set 
before you : if you fear death and love life then touch not, 
desire not the fruit of the forbidden tree ; for if you permit 
that peace destroying tree to affect the sense, and so cloud 
your understanding in passion's storm that poison foams, 
you die: if you desire to sip the deadly juice you fall from 
life to death. 

" Thus may we contemplate Eve acquainted with the 
Lord Jehovah's Will, as revealed to her and them, in the 
Law divine, living in the fountain of the heart and hover- 
ing with the fluid nectar that watered her Eden of earth : 
See the spiritual serpent exhaling in her dust, pestilential 
vapours, to affect her inferior nature : he envying the bliss 
she with Adam was created to enjoy in calm delight of 
heaven breathing love mingling with and sanctioned by 
the Fountain spirit of Love divine : burning, envious of the 

* Gen. Hi. 2. f Gen. iii. 3. 



138 A VINDICATION OF 






happiness God's children enjoyed; see his silent clouding 
fury swelling, in sin assailing innocence, evil thought pro- 
voking : View Eve, aware the foul tempter is nigh, that the 
fiend is even infolded entwining in her conscious Form of 
life, waiting to devour, while she seeming less confident of 
her security in the immediate influence of the tempting 
serpent spirit creating unhallowed feeling in her temple of 
clay, seeking therein to defile, so to cloud the soul with 
sin, the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil ; 
whose venom shadowed in ambush lay waiting Reason to 
sleep that his foul spirit in nature working might, by 
provoking inflaming passion ; subdue : — Behold Eve re- 
sisting the destroying impulse hearkening to Jehovah's 
voice that reigned in the soul's illumined throne whisper- 
ing in salvation's voice, ■ Fear not your enemy I will pre- 
serve you from his power while ye live in obedience to my 
Law ; he shall not, he cannot prevail if you eat not of the 
fruit of the tree he offers you : while obedient to the Law I 
have given ye shall live ; But if ye incline to that your 
enemy and mine may be permitted to suggest to your 
mind, ye die : but unless you incline to his evil sugges- 
tions, ye shall not die : observe always the commandment 
given as imprinted in the spirit tables of the heart, and the 
tempter shall not, cannot prevail within your body to afflict 
your soul. Take confidence, be constant, and faithful 
prove : Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest 
ye die, i.e. though Satan's spirit in serpent subtle may 
level his fiery darts to destroy your soul, they shall not 
come nigh to hurt you, neither shall the sinful air he 
breathes affect your peaceful joy except your soul and will, 
inclining, yield to his deceitful snare. 

" ' And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not 
surely die.' Thus did Satan lie, waiting to deceive. 

" The Bible's overflowing evidence, shows it was God's 
good pleasure man should be blessed with means to pre- 
serve his soul in life, that the spirit might in calm enjoy a 



THE BOOK OF GENESIS. 139 

foretaste of superior bliss ; under the preserving shield of 
glory Omnipotence breathed from, as living in, the Tree of 
Life. To obey the voice of Jehovah that within them 
whispered love and life immortal, was to live : but to dis- 
obey was to die. To incline to unrighteousness was to die 
to righteousness ; so to die to righteousness was to sin ; 
even as to sin was to fall from Life in light ; to death in 
darkness: In the command given to man, was enjoined) 
' Live to righteousness and sin not' # and ' the soul that 
sinneth shall surely die.' — Blessed were the first of the 
human Family with power to live in Freedom enjoying 
every good to exalt them higher in heaven's glory while 
their soul remained disposed and active to command their 
will to good : innocent then, strong in Jehovah's strength, 
conquer they might the Serpent's wiles or repel his fierce 
attack, to the saving of themselves omnipotent through 
Him who strengthened them : Being blest with the con- 
quering power in the Tree of Life; they might have wielded 
the Spirit sword, defended by the shield of Faith, and cut 
the Tempter down : who added to the lie, saying, ' For God 
doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes 
shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good 
and evil.' 

f This Satan would know was calculated to increase de- 
sire in the natural garden of mankind : and having expe- 
rienced a deforming change himself when he, by offending 
his Creator in heaven, had fallen from good to the sha- 
dowed gulph whence sprang the knowledge of good and 
evil ; his desire became inflamed to draw the creatures of 
God's special Providence into the abyss where sin had 
condemned him, in torment there, destroying venom to 
emit : 

" In the Eternal First-Cause ; in the Fount of Glory 
is seen, the united Three Jehovah ! in the Tree of Life !" 

" As the first evil, in Original Sin is seen Satan, the old 
* 1 Cor. xv. 34. 



140 A VINDICATION OF 

Serpent spirit ; in whom we have distinguished the tree of 
knowledge of good and evil. — The serpent being a devil by 
transgression, he thus acquired his knowledge of evil, even 
when exalted in the celestial regions ; so he knew, that by 
offending God, man from knowing good only, would fall 
to the knowledge of evil, and retaining a remembrance of 
the good he had left, thus would he, know good and 
evil. 

" Again behold Adam's daughter : Bone of his Bones 
and flesh of his flesh illumined by the Tree of Life whose 
Foliage around her a heavenly halo shed, living with her 
Parent, in glory equal, her natural garden breathing kin- 
dred feeling sympathizing with the sensation that awakened 
j oy in the parent Tree, unto whom she was given ; that he 
her garden cherish might, and in proper season plant, a 
seed sown in purity, whose holy fruit should from her spring 
to bloom in the garden of Peace ; where supernal joys 
enriching terrestrial breathings : mingled in bliss divine. 

" In the terrestrial Eden man was placed : the command 
unto him given enjoined watchfulness, that his Eden might 
be preserved pure, and holy to the Lord : It also his 
Duty was, to cultivate, and preserve the garden to him 
given in Eve, who second in dignity appeared ; tho' first in 
winning graces she presented : smiling as the moon at eve 
in the creation celestial. 

" We have said that in using the Blessings God gave to 
the children he had placed on earth, excess therein, in 
thought, desire, word, deed or to act inclining, would idol- 
atry be : so would the unholy yielding or indulgence, unto 
Jehovah Creator, bear evidence of their transgression, 
opening to them the flood-gates of impurity, from which 
inundating torrent foul, Deity's glory would veiled be; and 
on, as in its own Essence feed, leaving Satan's shadowed 
streams to flow in and over the Eden where while man 
was holy ; Elohim's glory reigned ! — In. the Picture which 
to the mind presents, appears Adam the Parent-Spouse 



THE BOOK OP GENESIS. 141 

and Eve, his child and human garden; enjoying freedom in 
perfect bliss, which no inferior power could take away : and 
which they could not be blinded to, neither could its glory 
be veiled from them, except their soul did sin. This the 
Satan serpent knew ; and sought how he might so influence 
the disposition of the soul, as to cause an inclining of the 
will to his suggestions : His late expulsion from heaven 
filled him with dismay, so was he afraid to approach the 
image of Jehovah reigning in Adam's soul : but sullen in 
guilty gloom he determined to assault and watched the 
moment when he might his power make known within the 
female tower, planning that she, more yielding tenderness 
to win ; would soon pass the circle of glory prescribed by 
Holiness, and that the Parent tree fondly loving his off- 
spring, in her whom the Lord had to him brought ; would 
incline to meet her in the shade of sin : even to quaff the 
juice of death. " 

u i And when the woman saw that the tree was good 
for food, and that it vms pleasant to the eyes, and a tree 
to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, 
and did eat ; and gave also unto her husband with her, and 
he did eat/ "* 

Infidelity. " What kind of fruit may it have been of 
which Eve and Adam partook when they sinned and 
fell?" 

Truth. "A fruit that corrupted soon as tasted ; there 
being a deadly destroying venom lurking in it from which 
flows sin, engendering : to engender death." 

Infidelity. " And could the tree yielding such fruit be 
called good by God ?" 

Truth. " Not as then corrupted : But remember ; the 
spirit of that tree was Satan who when first in the celestial 
creation created shone an Angel of light, and compared 
with other, then kindred spirits, may have been exceeding 

* Gen. iii. 6. 



142 A VINDICATION OF 

them in glory, even as the sun to man apparent in magni- 
tude and splendour is ; above the morning star exalted : 
thus may he have lived, ere by jealous envy fired when 
proudly daring ; he rebelled against the Lord God, for 
which crime with a legion of minor offending spirits he 
was cast out from the heaven of heavens, to infernal regions 
hurried a spirit in hell to reign, with power to visit earth 
and hovering in the air she breathed, so to affect the purity 
of her life, if man, Earth's sovereign, listened to his voice : 
see him in his shadowed element seeking to be a destroy- 
ing fire in the yawning gulph dark hovering the prince of 
the power of the air; plotting to contaminate the human 
race : subtle, determined to use his artful influence to lull 
their moral reasoning power into a torpid state, if that, by 
so far blinding the guardian watchman, he might, in his 
hellish design, succeed by introducing that which would 
cause the spiritual sensation and the flowing of the sensual 
nature to clash : thus designing see that foul fiend in their 
natural garden, a spiritual serpent, with poison charged, 
moving disorder engendering confusion, sin, and death that 
reigned in the way to hell's abode hatching in revengeful 
fire which burned there unfelt, while man lived free, save 
by him and his angels : — envying the blissful freedom man 
enjoyed; who, as we have seen was created perfect, with Rea- 
son presiding in the moral, preserving to calm the sensual, 
both living under the superior spiritualizing essence of Life 
in the tree planted in the heart whose branching sun-shine 
extended o'er the Eden whence it the image divine re- 
flected : viewing also that mankind are nearest to misery 
and death when in their fondest enjoyments : so Adam and 
his daughter would be nearest to death when participating 
in the most powerful delight, of which their sensual natural 
affections were susceptible. Knowing also there were two 
avenues of ingress and two of egress leading to and from 
the soul's central flow wherein Life's nectar pure in spirit- 
ualized ether and refined material spirit mingled flowed, 



THE BOOK OF GENESIS. 143 

breathing heaven in earth, so given, to refresh and preserve 
in life the children God in them had deigned to create and 
bless. . . Being thus blest : man's duty 'twas to reject every 
evil thought which from Satan's empire dark ascended. — 
So, in their hallowed meetings, satanic air may have been re- 
pelled, until his impure stream finding the fortress yielding; 
with impetuous death rushed in : Having plotted and de- 
termined in guilty coward gloom, he attacked the holy 
citadel at the moment when sensuality highest panted ; 
finding them at the height of extatic bliss, he moved the 
yielding tender plant too fondly to desire : passion quaffed 
the flow : Adam returned the too fond embrace they both 
indulged the sweet excess : Satan a fancied victory gained : 
Thus sin from the serpent to the daughter exhaled, in pas- 
sion inspiring air; man fanned the intoxicating flame: guilt 
immediate flowed within : the impure stream in shadow — 
from the serpent emitted, offended the nectar life which, 
from the heart proceeding, had fed Eden's garden with holy 
fruit, in the Tree of God matured ! 

" Forgetting the First-Cause Creator ! each with the 
other clasped in mortal fond embrace, from God to idol 
worship fell. — To fill his cup of bliss the Holy-One to him 
an help-meet gave taken from his tree to bless him with 
love's smiles ; in holy union by their Maker joined, to 
ascend in more exalted glory : Ere they transgression 
knew, all good was present, in Jehovah's light : evil in 
shadow, kept in awe, distant roamed, tempting yet to 
tempt, until, alas ! man freedom left, to exist in sinful 
slavery : inflamed grew the daughter's desire sensuality 
engendered was, in the serpent's deadly venom, woman, 
when at enjoyment's meridian height, inhaling to her 
dust ; being by inferior feeling tempted to seek other 
knowledge from the fruit of the tree which in the serpent 
subtle spirit lay, waiting to destroy ; suggesting to her 
thought that superior delight she yet might know, if, lis- 
tening to his voice, she would incline a yet more fond em- 



144 A VINDICATION OF 

brace to receive the fruit o' the unholy tree he in the 
mental field presented as in Eden's hallowed garden grow- 
ing : The seducing vision, alluring thought from things 
above, where was Jehovah's Throne, into her earthy sense, 
then she met the serpent's flood, that drowned the inclin- 
ing soul in shadow, veiling eternity's glory from her view • 
when more by nature warmed she met the embrace of her 
parent spouse ; he filled with sensual fire of inferior love, 
in the spirit of the same desire, fanned the flame the ser- 
pent kindled, and, loving to idolatry, wandered from his 
Father and his God." 

Infidelity. " In the command, ' Be fruitful and mul- 
tiply and replenish the earth, were not sensual pleasures 
sanctioned by God V 

Truth. " Yes, the command so given by God was a 
divine Law for man to observe, both in letter and in the 
spirit of fruitfulness : Then, remembering that the essence 
of man is soul, it was, and is his duty, first to attend to 
the cultivation of his immortal principle, that the using of 
her faculties may promote her Maker's glory : In the gar- 
den of the soul, we have seen, was the tree of life which 
continual blossomed yielding the fruit of salvation ; of 
which man might freely partake, its glory it being given to 
preserve the work God delighted to honour : But if man 
forgets the allegiance he owes to salvation's streams ; he 
cannot cultivate the throne of Divinity within him, use her 
faculties aright, or defend the temple of God, his body, 
from the assaults of the enemy ; neither can he from any 
save the holy source, derive strength to still the silent subtle 
tumultuous voice, satanic spirits awaken in life's destroy- 
ing passions. Unless man lives in the Almighty sun- 
shine breathing from the Tree of Life, it is impossible for 
him to hold his inferior nature in subjection to the Law of 
Reason: he, could not, cannot preserve his clay refined 
only when the soul in glory lives obedient to her Creator's 
voice. It is the Effluence of that spiritualizing power 



THE BOOK OF GENESIS. 145 

flowing frow her hallowed Fountain, which enables man 
to govern his earthy nature : We have shown that branch- 
ing streams flowing thence feed the body, and in the feed- 
ing fluid contemplated the governing spirit which, tho' 
invisible to the sensual eye, the spiritual eye may per- 
ceive, in varying shades of light and shadow ; accord- 
ing to the disposition of the soul and the inclining affec- 
tions of the body : — When Jehovah conferred on man the 
blessings provided for him, and said, ' Be fruitful and 
multiply/ &c. Deity breathing within his silent whisper- 
ing love eternal, would say, ' Use the blessings I unto 
thee give, without abusing them ; partake thereof in holi- 
ness : Let thy desires be moderate, so drink from the 
Fount of Purity, to gratify each sense, that thy spiritualized 
Eden may bloom in calm repose ; and thy offsprings live 
in my Paradise heirs of Immortality ! 

" ' And the eyes of them both were opened, and they 
knew that they were naked ; and they sewed fig-leaves 
together, and made themselves aprons. ,# 

" Adam's daughter wavering fell, and falling in his em- 
brace him she led to seek the knowledge Satan to them 
brought, as the fruit of his deceitful tree which drowned 
their sense, conquering Reason, leaving their soul in sin, 
even while in the Pro-creative act. .... While inhaling 
the intoxicating draught they felt not remorse, till sudden 
from immortal to mortal their nature changed : — then a 
cloud obscured their spirit glory ; the holy robe forsook 
them, leaving them naked and hideous to themselves ; 
when, behold them endeavouring to cover the parts, they 
thought had most offended.f 

" And, in this fallen condition we are guided to contem- 
plate man, whom God created to enjoy, causing his nectar 
divine to breathe from the Tree of Life giving man power 
to conquer inferior spirit, and to exalt him in God's glory, 

* Gen. iii. 7. f Gen, iii. 7. 



146 A VINDICATION OF 

while from the fountain of the heart unceasing issued in- 
vigorating holy streams watering the garden of Jehovah, 
causing grateful exhalations to ascend in prayer and 
praise unto the Source of Him whose fountain draped the 

soul in life's immortal robe But, from this 

heavenly scene we are called, to view the forms, once celes- 
tialized ; into sinful matter fallen/' 

Infidelity. " Since you admit connubial bliss was 
ordained by God, and the Law made known to man, in the 
Language of Life which spoke to the understanding : 
How, when, with the offspring of his bosom, the daughter 
of his love, the partner of his joy, he in the fond observ- 
ance of that exalting duty, was by natural feeling con- 
ducted to the height of the most exquisite as inexpressible 
delight of participated enjoyment: How might the happy 
beings thus blest, thus enjoying, have known the line 
limiting the glory of the horizon ; to pass which was 
death ?" 

Truth. " First. The Law by God engraved in man's 
heart's life, the Holy Spirit illumines, and guides man to 
fulfil : But, If man forgets his Preserver, the subtle ser- 
pent fiend, who within him waiting is, to lead astray, im- 
mediate takes the helm : he then having charge of the 
clouded bark, it first lifted is, then tossed becomes by 
every passion's sinful wave : calm Love divine no longer in 
the bosom lives, but lusts tumultuous burn emitting foam 
in rage hurrying mankind into the gulph of shadowing 
shadowed crime, overwhelming there the soul leaving the 
sinner in guilty fear to lament in und raped deformity: to 
sorrow for glory fled. — The storm of passion, passive, 
leaves death stained clouds behind : a troubled mind re- 
flects within polluted dust : Reflection maturing thought 
the sinner appears more cool ; so when Adam in the 
garden, no longer in the native robe his spirit fearful 
sought a hiding place : Satan's terror within him wrought, 
while pursued by the searching arrow beaming from Jeho- 



THE BOOK OF GENESIS. 147 

van's Eye ; when, of that voice, the silent naming thrill he 
heard, in the mighty immortal conscience speaking ' Adam, 
where art thou I ' # See him fallen from the light of life, a 
solitary, trembling, seeking shelter from the pursuing storm, 
even in the vale of death ; when th' Almighty mild 
reproving voice of love, speaking from the fountain of the 
soul, thrilling through every vein, re-echoing to her throne, 
of accusing conscience feeding the tormenting fire : this 
voice divine accompanied the fallen pair, whispering in the 
breeze, l Where art thou ? ' vibrated on the ear to meet 
the pang within, where arrows pierced the fearful souls as 
veiled in sin that furnished the throne where Satan in cor- 
ruption reigned, wielding his envenomed darts against the 
King of Heaven, clouding man with death-stained fluid 
shadowing the dust which had immortal been while living 
in the breathing Tree of Life, Jehovah planted in the 
soul. — But — If the children God had so blest, when feast- 
ing on and in their Father's love, continual, grateful for 
the gift, had looked unto the Giver, seeking grace to guide 
them to and preserve them in a perfect enjoyment of the 
blessing provided for them, his Omnipotent Spirit holy 
would have yet increased their glory, and leading them to 
the exalted bliss in happiness there would have them pre- 
served, even when, in their fond desires they met each 
other's embrace to breathe. Having, when enjoying, to 
the suggestions of the spirit serpent yielded : God was not 
in all their thoughts : his preserving Glory they forgot 
heaven they forsook, drinking the deceitful sweet, the 
daughter in her parent's fondest embrace felt Satan's arrow 
pierce the panting pulse, man, immediate sipped the liquid 
venom that deadly poison with it brought, in death's de- 
forming corruption : the serpent beguiled Eve : man's sen- 
suality with her's sympathizing ; unto her he inclining. . . 
Eve, tho' unto him she by Light ! was given, won her 
Adam in shadow, . . . when both ; their Robes of Glory : 

* Gen. iii. 9. 
M 



148 A VINDICATION OF 






in Eden lost, and from their Maker's Paradise fell : Being 
off their guard the enemy emitted his destroying venom 
mankind inhaled and died. # 

" The Evil One, the Adversary of God and man is 
represented under the image, of a serpent : of a dragon, of 
a leviathan, the crooked serpent, etc.f The Prophet says 
*■ dust shall be the serpent's meat:' J The Saviour of man- 
kind saith ' the devil was a murderer from the beginning, 
a liar, and a father of lies:'\ St. Paul saith, ' the woman 
being deceived was first in the transgression.' || In the 
Revelation, he is called the wicked malicious spirit, the 
devil, the dragon, satan, or the old serpent, etc., all which 
have reference to the spiritual Serpent who first deceived 
mankind by influencing passion in the natural Eden of 
man which the Tree of Life preserved ; while the spirit of 
holiness in Deity's temple was honoured. 

" Thus may we notice mankind inclining to the evil 
suggestions of the serpent-fiend whose spirit provoked 
unholy passion in the Eden of her who was unto Adam 
holy given, sin's deadly influence was first felt by Eve — 
thus was the daughter first in the transgression. Satan, 
unable to appear in the strait illumined path of light 
entwined in spirit dark in the winding borders of her 
natural garden, there in ambush lying he, while the watch- 
man slept, in sensuality, seized the moment when enjoy- 
ment had transported man into the shadow of forgetful- 
ness ; his venom thus permitted was to cloud creation's 
beauty : When man fell, sin and death permitted were, to 
afflict the earth. But God made not death, neither hath 
he pleasure in the destruction of the living : having created 
all things; the generations of the world were healthful, 
there was no poison of destruction in them, neither the 
kingdom of death upon the earth until ungodly men called 
it. Error and mental blindness had their beginning to- 

* John viii. 44. f Isa. xiv. 29—27. % lsa. lxv. 25. 

§ John viii. 44. || 1 Tim. ii. 14. 



THE BOOK OF GENESIS. 149 

gether with sinners. ' By one man sin entered into the 
world by whose disobedience many were made sinners.'* 
1 By nature we are the children of wrath/f and ' unable to 
receive the things of the Spirit or to know them, because 
they are spiritually discerned.' J 

li The Serpent in undulating cloud entwining, infolded in 
their material nature, by flatteries first, then by his off- 
springs' lies, her, and them, beguiled to desire the fruit his 
tree presented : passion unholy blinded them ; they fell in 
shadowed guilt : hungering in frenzy's hour to feed on fruit 
that poisoned peace, inflicted the sting of death, and dis- 
tanced mankind from heaven : forsaken they had the spirit 
of holiness ; to drink corruption's flow ; which to them un- 
veiled their misery : Eden no longer bloomed, but, as 
clouded by their sin, presented a frowning wilderness : 
Satan had led them astray from God : Mankind being pol- 
luted, the offence committed by her child taught earth to 
sigh a mother's groan : 'Twas then, having from his 
Maker's presence fallen, man sought to hide him from his 
glory. The scene how changed, heaven frowning weeps 
the tear of grief; thunders join the mournful throng, light- 
nings streaming the vivid flash, winds hollow roaring moan, 
seas late calm heave their swell, engulphing waves salute 
the clouds, rejected there they again recede to the deep 
below, where spirit rage of boiling foam ; in angry murmur 
bursts : Man had fallen : Angels sigh : Deity, sheds a pity- 
ing frown. The lion and the lamb ceased to feed in the 
same pasture. Man ! Man ! was afraid to meet his 
Maker ! ! — Sin having veiled the mental vision, he no 
longer saw Jehovah's parent smile. Rays divine ceased to 
present around their forms : God-like dignity left the 
brow : celestial robes, that had adorned their persons, 
ascended to heaven's home : inferior passion 's being awak- 
ened, the sensual eye was opened to behold the fruit of 

* Rom. v. 19. f Eph. ii. 3. J 1 Cor. ii. 14. 

M 2 



150 A VINDICATION OF 

Satan's tree, to them flowing in the clouding torrent ; rush- 
ing from the prince of hell. — The soul's bright sun tho' 
to them eclipsed, continuing to hover near the throne, 
anxious seemed to re-enter the soul : But, the sinner en- 
slaved moving in shadow's impotence, the mental eye 
could not perceive the lamp of the tree of life save when 
most oppressed at his fallen condition : then did the Day- 
spring from on high point a ray to lift the veil that the 
mental vision might for a moment look from the cell of 
slavery ; to gaze on sin's hideous deformity. Man then 
first knew the power of Jehovah's Spirit-beam in the ac- 
cusing conscience, as a flaming sword, there wielded in 
sovereign might : vindicating Elohim's Right. . . . Thus 
far behold the infernal prince arrived in the way from hell 
to th' Eternal's throne; permitted being to seduce man 
from the righteous path : Because mankind as Free-Agents 
might rise in light of life, or fall to death in shadow, 
by looking up and living to the tree of life, or, receding to 
sin, die to exist in clouds : Having then fallen into death's 
embrace, bliss divine and terrestrial joys were fled, the soul- 
feeding robe of glory they had offended, to wear death's 
garb of Satanic dye; thus veiling earth in gloomy guilt, de- 
riving to himself deformity in despair. In this condition 
th' accusing conscience pursuing him as a flaming sword 
therein th' Omnipresent in spirit voice calling the fallen 
child unto him said, ' Adam, where art thou V The re- 
ply to the voice of love, shows his changed condition: in 
death's cloud of misery existing, afraid of the light which, 
in the kind reproving conscience, attended him in his 
fancied secure retreat, oft permitting the mental eye, 
alarmed, to gaze on the sin-stained soul : then, in mercy 
soon again veiling the glory lest despair might drive man 
to destroy the image he had permitted sin to cloud. Now 
Satan's veil the prospect shadowed, gloomy sadness ho- 
vered within : Mankind, freedom, had abused, and fallen 
from life to death : No more the songsters of the grove, 



THE BOOK OF GENESIS. 151 

breathing mellifluous notes in harmonious concert join; their 
Sovereign to delight : but quickly flee from his shadowed 
form : Beasts a wildness immediate, assume, no longer 
their Ruler regarding, while, some among them, ferocious 
growing, menace with a threatening look, others to coverts 
secret retire, to hide them from the light : The glory of 
Nature's Orb, less effulgent beaming, alternate see by 
clouds obscured, as if so ordained, to reflect the picture of 
man's bliss, when he lived in the effulgence of Jehovah's 
smile, then of his mortal state, presenting a powerful type 
of the sin-veiled soul : herein the creatures of God's crea- 
tion seem reproving man's ingratitude, while the first man 
and his child weep the absence of the glory in which, with 
holy feeling, they when dawn awoke were wont to praise 
the Author of their being, their solace, Life ; and Refuge ! 
Mental powers in deep distress ; the voice divine that once 
was music's sweetest note> then met the sense in thunder's 
thrill : distanced being from God ; in his absence, Peace 
they found not, shadowed sin had shut it out. 

" The scene now changed : Nature no longer breathes in 
calm, clouds the heaven obscure ; and drape the mind of 
man, who, pursued by the death to disobedience due, was 
dead ; existing in the vale of sin and woe : The mental eye 
unable to look on the life-feeding star of glory : the blot, 
clouding the brow, deforming the sinner: the tumult of sin- 
ful waves, rolling within the bosom, sinking the spirit 
low : no peaceful spark then shone to them : when, 
death's upbraiding conscience, striking the immortal soul ; 
made the wretched tremble. 

" The glory offended had retired. ' And the eyes of 
them both were opened, and they knew that they were 
naked ; and they sewed fig-leaves together, and made 
themselves aprons.' # 

" ' And they heard the voice of the Lord God walking 

* Gen. iii. 7. 



152 A VINDICATION OF 

in the garden in the cool of the day : and Adam and his 
wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God 
amongst the trees of the garden.'* 

" 'And the Lord God called unto Adam, and said unto 
him, Where art thou ?'f 

" 'And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden : and I 
was afraid because I was naked ; and I hid myself/J 

" ' And the Lord God said, Who told thee that thou 
wast naked ? Hast thou eaten of the tree, whereof I com- 
manded thee that thou shouldest noteat?'§ 

" ' And the man said, The woman whom thou gavest to 
be with me, she gave me of the tree and I did eat.'|| 

" ' And the Lord God said unto the woman, What is 
this that thou hast done? And the woman said, The ser- 
pent beguiled me, and I did eat.'^f 

" Herein may be distinguished the fallen children ar- 
raigned before Jehovah, alarmed by his flame divine. 
They whom his love had in holy beauty created free, 
reflecting the image of their God, with power in glory, 
which fitted them, to have dominion, and to exercise the 
sovereignty with which their Maker had them invested 
over the creatures of the earth : in love to life exalted, 
Deity's Ocean in Eternity living, from Infinity flowed, 
feeding their Eden with good, from the tree of life, in 
whose sun-shine they adoring lived while walking with 
their God ! Opposed to good, is the dragon, Satan, ser- 
pent ; to whom the Spirit Holy Omnipotent said, — 

" ' Because thou hast done this, (i. e. Because thou hast 
drawn my children away from their duty to me,) thou art 
cursed above all cattle and above every beast of the field : 
upon thy belly shalt thou go, and dust shalt thou eat all 
the days of thy life.' # * 

" The sentence God in holy wisdom passed on the ser- 

* Gen. ii. 8. f Gen. iii. 9. J Gen. iii. 10. 

§ Gen. iii. 11. |i Gen. iii. 12, f Gen. iii. 13, 

** Gen. iii. 14. 



THE BOOK OF GENESIS. 153 

pent, first meets our attention, and deserves man's serious 
regard, since it shows that the Almighty punishes evil, 
using the very means the Wicked-one employs against 
Him and his children : From the verse may be under- 
stood that, Satan's deceiving peace-destroying spirit hav- 
ing tempted mankind to rebel, against the Lord Jehovah, 
by provoking passion in their earthy nature, the same be- 
came his torment, he being sentenced to feed on the 
earthy nature, he had corrupted. Having permission to 
tempt man by working in his sensual nature, and, if man 
yielded to his evil suggestions, to gain the ascendancy in 
him. This w T as permitted ; man being created a Free- 
Agent ; and thus far on the way to the Almighty's Throne, 
in the soul of man the serpent is suffered to approach, 
he being the creature sin desires to have ; but Satan can- 
not Jay hold on his soul to afflict her if man by faith and 
works proves faithful to his God: in earth he hovers in- 
folding serpent windings in the earthy nature provoking 
and feeding material passion, and when man inclines 
to him or indulges desire to drink from his poisoning 
streams, 'tis then he veils the soul in shadow : but, nearer 
to the Almighty's throne, even with man's assistance 
Satan cannot approach : when entertained by him, the 
soul he may pollute ; but there his impotent torrent is 
bounded. The serpent of the wilderness, having devoured 
his prey, hastens from the day ; Satanic agency on earth, 
and in earth, hates light ; in darkness he in man's earthy 
nature dwells corrupting to corrupt. The first of the hu- 
man Race were by him corrupted : Satan's cloud shadowed 
them, when their spiritualized dust changed to flesh : 
4 And what is born of flesh is flesh.'* — e And who can 
bring a clean thing out of an unclean ?'f — ' Behold I was 
shapen in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive 
me.'J — ' For I know that in me, (i. e.) in my flesh, dwelleth 

* John iii, 16. f Job xiv. 4. % Psalm li. 5 



154 A VINDICATION OF 

no good thing, for to will is present with me, but to perform 
that which is good, I find not ; for, tho' I delight in the 
Law of God after the inward man, yet I see another law in 
my members warring against the Law in my mind and 
bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my 
members. O wretched man that I am ! who shall deliver 
me from the body of this death ?' # . . . . It is the deadly 
enemy of man who thus affects and afflicts their earthy 
tabernacle, feeding on revenge-provoking destroying pas- 
sions, causing dust corrupted to rebel against the saving 
spirit, which yet adorns the Christian's soul, guiding her to 
honour the tree of life, where is the fountain garden ; that 
fruit immortal yields ; in the Paradise of Jehovah ! 

" The serpent that glides in the bosom of the earth, on 
venomous reptiles feeds : the spiritual serpent that afflicts 
mankind, in their form of dust, feeds on Sin plotting death 
in his kingdom dark, seeking whom he may devour, thus 
increasing his shadowing streams ; beguiling to beguile. 

" ' And I, saith Jehovah, I will put enmity between 
thee and the woman; and between thy seed and her seed ; 
it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.'f 

" We have distinguished man created immortal, made 
to be the image of God : — also that through the envy of 
Satan death came into the world— God having filled man 
with the knowledge of understanding and shewed him 
good and evil. Error and darkness had their beginning 
with sin ; that being embraced, death is the sentence of 
the Lord over all flesh, as, in the Covenant, ' For in the 
day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die/ J i. e. 
thou shalt die the death due to disobedience : ' And death 
reigned from Adam to Moses. — By the offence of one, 
judgment came upon all men to condemnation, even so, by 
the Righteousness of One the free-gift came upon all men 
unto justification of life.'§ 

" In Adam as a living soul behold the Figure of Him who 

* Rom. vii. 18. f Gen. iii. 15. % Gen. ii. 17. § Rom. v. 14. 18. 



THE BOOK OF GENESIS. 155 

was to come a quickening Spirit, in Him whose heel the 
serpent in sinners bruised ; when they nailed Him to the 
Cross : in Him whose frown from Moriah Mount bruised 
the serpent's head, when the envenomed gulph's torrents 
of anguish foaming, increased of hell, the torment, where 
fury's impotence ; more vivid burned revenge. 

" In the sacred Seed of the Woman contemplate Im- 
manuel ! the Holy-God-Man I Deity veiled in human 
nature ! Born of a Virgin who was prepared to be the 
chosen medium through whom the Redeemer should pass, 
when He came in his Eternity to visit earth in time, and 
there to give his Body to suffer, that suffering He might 
redeem his Own and dying purchase man's salvation ! 

" Having broken the Covenant of the Law, man de- 
pended, and now depends, for reconciliation to his Crea- 
tor, in and on the Covenant of Grace : then it was, to sup- 
port their repentant sorrowing spirits, Jehovah said, c the 
Seed of the Woman shall bruise thy, the serpent's, head :' 
and it was so. Christ, our, and every Christian's Hope, 
and Tree of Life ! our Refuge and our Rock ! when his 
Body extended on the Cross, to which He was affixed for 
us, in soul-rending agony writhing in bleeding love ; then 
triumphant He, o'er death and hell accomplished, the 
Divine Work He came to fulfil : the salvation of a guilty 
world, permitted, to be so, by the Love th' Almighty 
Father had embosomed for those whom He created to reflect 
his image holy ! in purity of body, in constancy of spirit : and 
none could seal this Covenant of Grace save the Word, 
who came in Jesus-God ! — But, looking into another distin- 
guished glory of this divine and wonderful working plan 
of the Redemption of mankind, we perceive the peculiar 
gracious favour shown to woman : — Sin, having from 
Satan to her sense, first blown conquering passion, 
in corruption's cloud which caused the transparent life 
to retire, it with purity fled, shadowed blood impure 
then filled the streams of life, in death. — So was it in 



156 A VINDICATION OF 

Heaven's wisdom ordained, that He, who, in love to man, 
presented himself a sacrifice for sin, should, as Deity 
veiled, inherit of that fluid matter, in the Eden of Adam's 
daughter blest, whose Temple hallowed was, and thrice 
sanctified, distinguished being, to be honoured as the 
Throne, the Paradise, and the Nursery of Jehovah ! God 
the Son ! But of this fluid blood He carried not from 
earth ! He took it upon Him that the same might flow in 
agonizing, soul-redeeming streams, for Adam's children : — 
that ye his daughters fair may bloom divine and in the 
sacred thought Hosanna sing : the Seed of the woman, 
in the Holy Jesus, bruised the serpent's head ! see, feel, 
and rejoice, altho' Immanuel's heel was by the serpent 
bruised when his Body suffered : from the Cross a Con- 
queror, He in Glory ascended ; leading captivity captive ! 

" Striking and impressively marked was, and is, the 
enmity between the serpent and the woman, between his 
seed, i. e., Sin with its destroying attendants, and eternal 
Death, or Holiness and everlasting Life in the Bosom of 
Jehovah ! — In woman the serpent's venom had left a 
curse : The holy Jesus Incarnate was, and in the purifying 
Effulgence of his Presence redeemed the Eden sin had af- 
flicted, that pure seed might therein take root, and grow 
up with Deity in his glory : This thought feeds the ser- 
pent's malice and maddens his mischievous attempts to 
destroy the children of God, even as he pursued the Lord 
of Life and Love, from Bethlehem ; to where purple 
streams on Calvary flowed : He accompanies us in our 
flesh and blood, nor will he loose him from mankind, while 
the immortal spirit hovers within clay by him corrupted ; 
constant he does men pursue, his engines continually work- 
ing are, to weaken Faith in Almighty Love, to allure from 
the Holy-One, the sinner's Rock and Refuge ! the Chris- 
tian's Consolation ! 

i( ' Unto the woman he, God, said, I will greatly multiply 
thy sorrow and thy conception : in sorrow thou shalt bring 



THE BOOK OF GENESIS. 157 

forth children ; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, 
and he shall rule over thee.' 

" Behold reproof with mercy mingled ! the Creator in 
solemn, silent, spirit voice, informs Adam's Daughter, that 
the very indulgence wherein she was by the Serpent led to 
know excess when with her Parent spouse she him in pas- 
sion met ; shall yield to her a cause, whence effect shall 
emanate, in punishment due to the disobedience attendant 
on forgetfulness ; and that he whom she in shadow's mo- 
ment had with fond embrace subdued, and won in woe ; 
over her should rule : also that her Eden then afflicted by 
Satan's corrupting air should, in sorrow, offsprings yield. — 
But holy Goodness had also ordained, that even that sor- 
row should he forgotten for joy that a child is born : # The 
Door of Hope also is opened in that, when the hour was 
come, the seed of the woman should be raised up, to lead 
the serpent enemy captive, and triumph over him :-f Herein 
is perceived the dawning of the Gospel Day! 

" Satan the wound had given. Elohim's holy oil to 
heal the deadly thrust, immediate in the heavenly vista is 
seen : glory in a Redeemer hovered beaming conquering 
radiance : a gracious promise is made of Christ who should 
appear the Deliverer of fallen man, that His own might be 
from the serpent's power set free ; and meet their God 
again ! 

" And unto Adam the Lord said, ' Because thou hast 
hearkened to the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the 
tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not 
eat of it ; cursed is the ground for thy sake : in sorrow 
shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life. 'J .... Here 
we contemplate the Omnipotent Fountain of Mercy, in the 
Just Judge of Heaven, breathing holy spirit, saying, 
'Adam, I created and, blessing thee, more and more to 
bless, placed thee on this earth, with an help- meet whom 
I took from thyself, and with her gave thee power to pro- 
* John xvi. 21. f Col. ii. 15. X Gen. iii. 17. 



158 A VINDICATION OF 

create, willing that thy offsprings might, in essence pure ; 
partake of thy nature and live immortal : thy dust I spirit- 
ualized and gave therein to flow, preserving streams ; to 
feed thy soul with love : the tree of Life within thy heart 
was breathing ; therein my salvation reigned, to preserve, 
thee in the path of Duty and, the Eden temple holy ; 
that thy seed might accepted be, and exalted rise in 
glory : I fitted thee to govern ; and unto thee gave domi- 
nion : In the natural garden I in freedom placed thee 
with power to protect thy spiritual garden ; where my 
light shone feeding, to preserve thee from the tempter's 
snare : But, it was thy duty to guard this Paradise, as 
my sacred garden, which I watered with my living waters; 
that therein, spring might, budding, blooming, perennial 
smiling, yield eternal fruit; for superior joys matured: 
with my Blessing and command these duties were en- 
joined : my Grace was sufficient for thee while, thoughtful, 
thou didst live in Wisdom's way, content in the knowledge 
that to thee flowed from the tree of Life ; the only Source 
of knowledge true; the Original, Fountain Head of Wis- 
dom ! Thy Duty too it was, to have admonished the child 
taken from thyself, if in too fond embrace she approached 
to meet the Parent tree, under whose branches she shelter 
sought : thou Adam, as the more exalted shouldst have 
been prepared to check the rising passion; that Reason 
might remain awake within, while with thee she sought 
the hallowed delight, that sanctioned is, in procreating to 
procreate : which in pure joy is known only to those who, 
loving in earth, revere the Love of heaven, and in all enjoy- 
ments continual have their mental eye fixed on the Foun- 
tain-Source blest with their Creator's approving smile : 'tis 
only then thou canst promote the end to which I thee 
created ; and for which I thee permit, here yet to remain, 
to people this, now, afflicted earth : Adam ! ... It is 
my Love for thee, and for the seed within thy tree, which 
nvites my streams of mercy ; for thee and thine to flow : 



THE BOOK OF GENESIS. 159 

thou, in shadow's vale, hast disobeyed my voice by admit- 
ting, in the passion thy offspring to thee brought, death, in 
corruption, to afflict thy soul and veil thy Creator's glory 
from thee : See, now in her throne Satan's shadow reigns, 
because thou hast eaten of the tree of which I commanded 
thee saying, ' Thou shalt not eat of it ; ' Because thou hast 
eaten of the tree, in the mortal fruit the serpent, in the 
tender plant from thee taken, to thee brought, in the 
solemnity of sinful passion ; the ground is cursed for thy 
sake : by thy act defiled is the treasure of earth's womb ; the 
overflowings of her bosom ; the air she exhales ; the water 
that within her centre is, # the waves which on her bosom 
roll ; for thy sake are laid under the curse pronounced by 
Me : And, as thou art the head, and parent of the woman : 
Because thou hast forgotten superior bliss, tasting inferior 
gratifications, and, listening to her voice which spoke in 
silent death, wandering with her from the field of Light to 
embrace the tree that grows in Satan's shadow ; thou must, 
in sorrow, shalt thou, eat of it all the days of thy life." 

Infidelity. " Did God appear to Adam and Eve as a 
man when He passed sentence on them?" 

Truth. " We may not suppose that fallen man could 
look on the effulgence of Jehovah's Glory, when corruption 
afflicts the soul, and live : neither was it needful for the 
Almighty Father to stand in their presence as a man : The 
Omniscient Judge Omnipotent had conveyed his commands 
to Adam's soul before he fell, in the light of conviction's 
power ; and then did in the mighty working of his spirit 
within, which silent, tho' alarming, mingling Mercy with 
Justice, yet whispered Love. — To see the Holy One 
Creator God, face to face, man may not expect, while pro- 
bationers in corrupted dust: By faith the mental eye may 
look into His glory, and behold as through a glass darkly, 
but corruption inherent derived to man from Adam sha- 
dows us ; and clouds the prospect. It will be in the 

* Psal. cxxxvi. 6. 



160 A VINDICATION OF 






heavenly Jerusalem, where His redeemed will, in holiness, 
the glory of his Fulness meet; and there drinking, feed 
their spirits thirsting sun ; in overflowings of eternal Day ! 

" No, it required not that a visible, or tangible Figure 
should present, to teach Adam his Maker's Law, 'twas 
written in the heart, and conscience kept open the page 
which met the mental eye, inviting the soul, for whose 
sake 'twas given, when in primeval innocence knowing 
only good, when from Elohim's source a spirit voice in 
music's softest note was within their hallowed Eden heard, 
whispering infinite Love, to guide them in the holy way ; 
illumined by the glory wherein they lived : while, in the 
rejoicing peaceful breeze, celestial seraphs fanned the air 
they inhaled ; when nature's garden breathed terrestrial 
calm : when the delighted spirit unclouded free drank 
glory in the Tree of Life, living to Jehovah ! unacquainted 
with the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil, 
which in Satan now is, in the world ; infolded in each human 
form : so the world embrace his dark designs and yield to 
be his willing slaves : the Christian feels his beguiling 
voice whisper to the sense; but repels his arrow; and 
soars above in light, refreshed by the sun-shine of Jeho- 
vah's tree; using the Blessings given to enrich the soul, 
promoting the glory of the Giver, when, Eden smiles a Para- 
dise. — For man may yet observe his Maker's Law and 
attain to freedom's height, more and more exalted. But if 
he abuses the blessings Heaven showers on him, offending 
the Almighty, he is left in Satan's kingdom; shut out 
from Freedom's Glory : 

" When under the government of Satan, Serpent venom 
exhales sinful passions, excesses then embraced, rush in to 
the obstruction of the Command God gave, when He said, 
' Be fruitful and multiply;' sensual gratification in irre- 
gular desires deforms the body, clouds the soul's bright 
luminary, barters happiness for the pestilential fruit, that 
poisons peace; inflicts the sting of temporal death; to an- 



THE BOOK OF GENESIS. 161 

ticipate eternal torment: leaving mankind like ship with- 
out rudder, or Pilot star, when midnight darkness clouds 
the compass presenting the heavens in a blot. Man 
licentious then is driven, insatiate, always hungering like 
the serpent, never satisfied ; while permitted to feed in 
dust : Hence adulteries, murders with every other species of 
crime hurtful to the body, and destructive to the soul of 
man ; deform the children of him who when created 
breathed in the image of Jehovah ! 

" Christian spirits rejoice and consolation drink to know : 
' Greater is He that is within them than he that is in the 
world :' # and God, whom they serve, will not suffer them 
to be tempted above the power He gives to resist the 
tempter :f there is an advocate with the Father; and a 
Propitiation for sins. 

" The Lord God, in o'erflowing goodness provided for 
man's stability in his first estate of blissful freedom : also, 
after the creature had wandered from his God He graciously 
provided for his Restoration. So may men do all things 
through Christ who giveth strength, while on the way to 
Him who is the Author and the Finisher of our Faith. 

" ' Because of sin,' The Lord God said, ' Thorns also 
and thistles shall it bring forth to thee : and thou shalt eat 
the herb of the field.' 

" The guarding sword see now unsheathed, to lift at 
times the obscuring veil that the clouded soul may awak- 
ened be to a shadow of her misery; trembling thus the 
human family in vain sought to hide them, from the Eye ; 
that looketh at the heart: First the Parent, then the 
Daughter told whence the sting of death proceeded, even 
from the serpent source, where sin in mortal venom brooded : 
— sentence being on them pronounced ; their natures see 
impaired: infirmities and bodily pains afflicting: sinful 
passions exhaled by Satanic spirit, ascend to cloud celestial 
air : when, as tares among the wheat, from earth's bosom 

* Rom. iv. 14. f 1 Cor. x. 13. 



162 A VINDICATION OF 

sprang, poisoning weeds, thistles, prickles, briers, thorns, 
choking esculent yieldings, which for nourishment Terra 
gave, their beauty thus defacing, their nutritive power 
destroying: no longer the kindly mist ascending and de- 
scending fed her offsprings T ith the Dew of life, as while 
man nurtured heaven within his portion of her soil : but, 
see vapour storms, violent heat preceding, causing continual 
solicitude ; and frequent dire dismay. 

" l In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou 
return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken; for 
dust thou art , and unto dust shalt thou return.' 

" The ground, being cursed for Adam's sake, thorns and 
thistles sent forth : so in Adam conscience pricked his re- 
pentant soul : Of the herb of the field he was then to eat to 
nourish his corrupted nature : Yet, tho' fallen from the 
manna on which he in Paradise fed, altho' the King of 
Glory reproved ; while in overflowing mercy reproving, He 
beamed to the sinners from the Fountain above, a Fore- 
taste of Jesus' redeeming love, to reconcile man to his lot, 
while on earth permitted to be, until the dust Jehovah had 
from her bosom taken, was bid return to the maternal bed ; 
and the spiritual essence that had within it hovered, called 
to God who gave it ! 

" ' And Adam called his wife's name Eve ; because she 
was the mother of all living,' — The daughter of Adam : who 
was the Son of God !* 

" ' Unto Adam also and to his wife did the Lord God 
make coats of skins, and clothed them.' 

" When they embraced in sin, the glory in which the 
persons of Adam and Eve first were draped retired to 
heaven its home, to enjoy the goodness in Jehovah, per- 
haps to adorn the temples of children who had more 
worthy proved : Yet, their Maker's Love, in compassion 
unto them, provided covering adapted to their state, as well 
as to the change all creation, terrestrial, had experienced. 
* Luke iii. 38. 



THE BOOK OF GENESIS. 163 

•' ? And the Lord God said, Behold, the man is become 
as one of us, to know good and evil : and now, lest he put 
forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and 
live for ever.' " # 

Infidelity. " To whom did the Lord God speak when 
He spoke the words written in the twenty-second verse ? 
What is meant by ' Behold the man is become as one of us, 
to know good and evil V — Do not the words so used admit 
Polytheism, or sanction the doctrine of plurality of Gods?" 

Truth. " No. In the first branch of the verse, i. e. 
1 Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good 
and evil:' We contemplate Jehovah the Great-First-Cause! 
the All-Wise eternal Essence ! Three in One united, in 
Counsel Divine with, and in Elohim, the triune God in 
Trinity! in spiritual communion with God the Son and God 
the Holy Ghost : ... in US so used, is comprehended only 
one triune God ! the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ ! . . . 
The Three divine Persons created heaven and earth, and all 
things therein : They also were in the Word united at the 
Creation of Man, all things were created by the Word, and 
the Word was God !f . . . It was from Eternity so or- 
dained, and is in divine harmony with the wisdom and 
overflowing mercy of the Omniscience, Omnipresence and 
the Omnipotence of Jehovah in whom lived (as now) and 
from whom were to emanate the Redeemer of the world, 
who on purchasing man's Redemption, was to pray the 
Father, that through Him might be unto his disciples sent, 
the Holy Ghost the Comforter : % herein distinguished are 
Persons Three, in Office distinct, in Essence holy, One 
united ! So are the words, * Behold the man is become as 
one of us, to know good and evil,' limited to the Three 
Persons in the Godhead, as pre-ordained, that the same 
Essence, and Persons, active in the creation of man, should 
also be employed in his salvation : in reference to the mea- 
sure of knowledge to which man had attained, it implies 
* Gen. iii. 22. f John i. 1, 2, 3. % John xiv. 16, 17. 
N 



164 A VINDICATION OF 



! 



that, whereas he, while innocent, knew only good, he, in 
his fallen state knew both good and evil : thus, having 
sinned unto death he required a Redeemer, to restore him 
to life, to himself; and to his God ! ... By tasting the 
shadowed fruit man from glory fell, and, in sin, admitted 
temporal death. His Maker had provided that the wan- 
derer might return. — Before Satan rebellious proved he 
knew only good : When in him sin originated ; then as the 
tree of the knowledge of good and evil he was, and is per- 
mitted to be in spiritual shadow with permission to work in 
man, and with him go forth, tempting, yet to tempt. . . . 

"Adam, created holy, first knew bliss only, which flowed 
from holy Love ; by yielding to Satan's evil suggestions, 
good and evil he, in death's misery knew : yet Adam did 
not pursue the shadowed path delighted wherein his tempter 
moved : the prince of the power of the air rejoiced in of- 
fending the Lord of All. But Adam repentant, sorrowed 
for sin committed ; forsook the path of folly and returned 
unto his God ! Jehovah foresaw this would be, and so pro- 
vided, that a Redeemer should present by whom a way 
would be opened, for contrite heaven-thirsting souls; to 
rise again, draped with their Creator's smile in which is the 
Tree of Life, to whom they may guided be, by the spiritual 
lamp, that illumines the way, where, in effulgent glory 
shines, the Holy Ghost; the Comforter!" 

Infidelity. " How may we explain the latter part of 
the twenty-second verse of the third Chapter of Gene- 



sis 



?» 



Truth. " In the verse it is written — 

" l And the Lord God said, Behold, the man is become 
as one of us, to know good and evil : and now lest he put 
forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, 
and live for ever : ' 

" In the fifteenth verse of this chapter where Jehovah 
sentences the serpent, He the Almighty saith, — 

" ' And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, 



THE BOOK OF GENESIS. 165 

and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy 
head, and thou shalt bruise his heel/ 

" The more our mind entertains these consoling and 
divinely breathing texts, of the Word of God : the fuller is 
the flow, and more conquering the effulgence, bursting 
therefrom, to illumine around : here again behold ! the 
door of Hope to sinners opened, that mankind may re- 
enter the Paradise, where blooms the Tree of Life : In the 
words, here by Jehovah spoken, is reference to the second 
Person in the holy Trinity ! to Him who lived in the Lamb 
slain from the Foundation of the World : to Him who 
came to do the Will of His heavenly Father to die that 
man may live ! Bearing in mind then the latter part of 
the verse, to which the question draws our attention : we 
distinguish in the light which illumines the Word : that ; 
Had not Deity in holy Counsel purposed a Redeemer 
should restore man from the death of sin, to glory ; 
and to God ! the only beloved Son of the Almighty 
Father would not have engaged to be a Ransom : a 
sacrifice would have availed nothing : Had it not been 
that Love Divine desired man should return to take of 
the Tree of Life, it would not have required Christ to die ; 
that man might live again ! Jehovah knew man would be 
seduced from the righteous path, to die; so had his 
mercy, in pitying love, ordained his restoration : to know 
good and evil man fell from good to evil, and falling be- 
came mortal : the serpent's venom embraced, inflicted the 
wound of death; corrupting his nature, polluting his Eden 
of dust, blotting the temple of God : Alarmed at his 
changed condition, see him trembling at the voice of 
mighty conscience, wherein Jehovah whispered in Deity's 
reproving Love, ' Adam, thou hast sinned, yet, I will not 
forsake thee, even in this derobed, unholy, state. Never- 
theless ; Because thou hast fallen to distinguish good and 
evil : since thou hast fed on the tree, of life and also eaten 
of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil : now thou 



166 A VINDICATION OF 

hast tasted the bliss living in the fruit of the Tree of Life, and 
also inhaled of the misery engendered in, and in clouding 
torrents rushing from, the treeof knowledge of good and evil : 
nothing that is unholy or that defileth can enter where my 
Holiness remaineth : I cannot admit thee into my Presence, 
nor canst thou again live in my Paradise, unless thou dost put 
forth thy hand and take of the tree of life, that thou mayest 
embrace and hold fast, so profiting by the Covenant of 
Grace, made in the Promised Seed, shun the inferior tree, 
and, by true repentance, cleave to and live under the pre- 
serving influence of the Tree of Life, which in my Spirit 
Holy, shall, yet, continual guard and guide thee, if thou 
dost remember to observe my Law in thy heart written, 
even, within the fleshly tables, and dost walk upright 
guided by its precepts ; that so thou mayest, passing 
through temporal death re-enter to inherit eternal life, in the 
Presence of which Tree, thou didst, forgetful; sin : He who 
has engaged to be thy Redeemer will yield his Blood to 
ratify this my Covenant of Grace, that must restore 
thee and thine to peace, and to God ! Behold ! I have 
provided for thy Redemption : guard thyself therefore ; 
fall not deeper into the shadow of my displeasure : thou 
hast inhaled to thyself, and to thine, temporal death ; from 
which my Love shall deliver thee, if thou dost not, by 
yielding again to the evil suggestions of Satan, to thine 
own soul drink everlasting damnation. But, whereas, 
while thou didst retain thy Purity in the Presence of, and 
feeding on, the Tree of Life, Faith was crowned in sight, 
since in thy holy state thou wast robed in my glory, 
and admitted to immediate communion with my Spirit : 
having permitted sin to hide my glory from thee : By 
Faith and Works thou must be saved, if salvation thou 
would est find : My tree of life thou mayest yet see when 
the sword of conscience to repentance strikes : and to that 
voice I thee invite, having, in the Lamb slain from the 
Foundation of the World, provided thy Redemption : Thou 
art not shut out from the tree of life, neither can Satan 



THE BOOK OF GENESIS. 



167 



shut thee out from the working of my Spirit, if repentant 
thou dost seek me : Because thou didst incline to evil, 
even to thy soul, on the way to my throne hath he ad- 
vanced ; but here shall his destroying torrent be stayed : 
Yet, know, altho' a Ransom is provided for thee, thou 
canst not benefit thereby unless thou dost put forth thy 
hand and take of the tree of life and eat even of the same 
tree wherein enjoying freedom thou didst live, when thou 
wast filled with good : Being no longer a living soul, rege- 
neration in thee must have place, the spirit of thy mind 
must be renewed ; thou must be saved by Grace !' 

" Adam, while distinguished as a living soul, ate of the 
tree of life ; its fruit preserved his soul alive, it blossomed, 
to the soul ; a Trinity ! God the Father was there, in 
whom was God the Son, and with them both, the Com- 
forter. Jesus saith, i I am in the Father and the Father in 
me :' # ' Abide ye therefore in me and I in you ;'t — ' For if 
you feel not my Spirit working in you Satan will have do- 
minion and lead you captive.' Adam ate of the preserving 
tree ; l Christ saith I am that Bread of God which came 
down from heaven that giveth life unto the world :'J Feed 
then on this bread, this spiritual food which is in me saith 
God. ' For if any man hath not the Spirit of Christ he is 
none of his.' This Spirit of Christ dwelt in Adam, and 
was the spiritual Guide and Comforter which illumined his 
Eden temple, while that temple shone the Paradise of 
God ! until th' offended glory withdrew leaving him un- 
draped, deformed, in death; in the shade of criminal 
sorrow existing : no longer a living soul. 

" While man is thus afflicted, contemplate the Holy 
Trinity in divine Counsel, promoting man's salvation : 
Hear the Eternal Elohim whisper : ' Man hath broken the 
Covenant of the Law : forgetting the Tree of Life ; he was 
influenced to eat of the Tree of Knowledge of Good and 
Evil ; wandering from the path of life, he has fallen into 

* John xiv. 10. t John xv. 4. $ John vi. 33. 



168 A VINDICATION OF 

the vale of temporal death : Experience has taught him to 
distinguish good and evil : the superior from the inferior ; he 
now may perceive : he has disobeyed my command : I have 
promised pardon on condition of repentance, but, to secure 
my favour's forgiving mercy, he must at least put forth his 
hand and take of the Tree of Life that he may not exist in 
eternal death, but eat and live for ever: for except he repent, 
and profit by the means provided in the Covenant of Grace, 
he cannot experience the change, which must be wrought 
in him by the operation of the Holy Spirit emanating from 
the Tree of Life, to prepare him to re-enter the Realms of 
Immortality. The prospect which, in my Paradise, with 
Righteousness is crowned, now to his mental eye is veiled : 
no longer face to face may he my glory view, because of 
shadow's serpent sin. But, the Covenant of Grace now 
made with him, ordained was, and is, that he and his may 
return to me, and this, because I foresaw the clouding 
change would work sorrow for sin, and that he would not 
presumptuous prove, to incur my abiding displeasure, as 
Satan his enemy did, when with his sons in dark design he 
grasped at my eternal Throne — My Love for man in Me 
prevails : Man shall yet be saved, even by grace is he re- 
deemed ; and his seed may profit by the Covenant which 
Jesus God my Son ! shall, bleeding, dying, conquering, 
seal ! But, to be heir to this my Covenant of Grace, man 
must now put forth his hand and take of the Tree of Life 
and eat and live for ever : By forgetting that preserving 
light, in shadow's hour my temple, his body, is defiled : 
yet, the Efficacy of a Redeemer's Blood shall cleanse pol- 
lution's stain : so he must now put forth his hand and, in- 
clining unto its voice, take freely of the Tree of Life and eat 
and live for ever: (i.e.) man, having eaten of both trees 
he, being able to distinguish their nature and effect must 
now forsake sin, the fruit of the tree of knowledge of 
good and evil, wherein Satan is, and repentant turn to 
me : By Faith and Works he now must prove himself 



THE BOOK OF GENESIS. 169 

worthy the Pardon he shall obtain ; but his Redemption 
must be wrought in the flowing of a Saviour's cleansing 
stream : now, his Body, stained by sin, is become flesh and 
blood, Flesh and Blood cannot inherit the Kingdom of 
Heaven. In the beginning man fed on that tree ; when 
from heaven the Bread of Life came down to feed Life 
within him, for the benefit of him and his : I AM ! that 
Tree of Life !* I AM ! that Holy Vine !f Adam and his 
offsprings are the Branches : if the branch be severed from 
the Tree it dies, but the Tree remaineth sending forth other 
branches : Sin embraced by mankind distanced them 
from God : yet, they were not tempted of my Spirit. 
Deity tempteth none; neither did the Divine Prescience 
influence her choice, when Eve, in shadow, forgot her 
Maker, but by her own lust was she drawn away 
and enticed ; and when lust had conceived it brought 
forth sin, and sin, when it was finished brought forth 
death. J It therefore is now necessary to man's salvation, 
that he, by Faith in my Covenant of grace with him 
made and in him with his, puts forth his hand, to take of 
the tree of Life and eat, that he may to Eternity live : On 
his falling to mortal dust, my frown accompanied the sin 
committed : my tree of Life no longer around, from within 
him, his glory, so powerful shone : Satan's vapour veiled 
my effulgence from him, which mist of shadow the Eye of 
Faith now must pierce, to catch a glimpse of the radiant 
Glory, from whose preserving luminary he permitted the 
serpent to allure him : When innocent he knew good 
only: my Law within him lived, a guardian monitor, to 
preserve him from evil: if he had watchful been; and 
listened to the warning voice ; he would not have fallen 
into the death due to sin : he left my tree to die : 
he must return to it, to live again : his Works must show 
that in his soul he nurtures faith the substance of things 
hoped for, the evidence of things to come: in the justice 
* John vi. t John xv. J James i. 14, 15. 



170 

of holy judgment, my Mercy shall to him extend : a seedling 
flower shall, within his human Eden illuming, live to 
bloom, beaming eternal Day ! therein my guiding star in 
effulgent glory is, the fruit of Life ! of which holy Tree 
Adam and his offsprings must put forth their hand and 
take, and eat, and live for ever : Since man cannot benefit 
by my Covenant of Grace unless, by faith in the Body and 
Blood of Christ my Beloved-Son his Redeemer, he receive 
thereof, and faithful prove working and walking in Sal- 
vation's way through time, that, when called to quit cor- 
ruption, he may meet his Maker's pardoning smile, his 
Eden fruitful full bloom again and breathing overflowings, 
yield immortal fruit of Love divine, on which Jehovah's 
children feed ; in His Paradise above ! 



A VINDICATION 

OP 

THE BOOK OF GENESIS. 



PART VI. 



" And as it was in the days of Noe, so shall it be also in the days of the Son 
of Man. They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in 
marriage, until the day that Noe entered the ark, and the flood came, and 
destroyed them all." — Luke xvii. 26, 27, 

ARGUMENT. 

INFIDELITY goes forth at dawn, Truth in the Field 
is seen waiting his approach wielding the Spirit sword, 
chaunting Jehovah's Word ! 

Truth. "Inspired by Grace in bleeding love, im- 
mortal soul look up; Grateful breathe thy morning 
Prayer; draped in th' exalting Robe of Glory! Meet 
me in thy Field of life holy adored Creator, with thy 
overflowings fill the panting humble soul, lead us in the 
Path where Love in living water is ; that we may drink of 
the stream flowing from Moriah Mount, to bring us 
unto Thee ! Thou who feedest earth with life, as beaming 
from the Sun, that illumines the azure-gold-tinged heavens: 
Give thy effulgence to create in us, the glory more and 
more resembling thee. Breathe in the kindred mind 
whence let emanations flow, now angel spirits rejoice: 
And thou my Soul take thy Robe of Glory on ; ascend- 
ing in humble splendour breathe : the glory of thy Re- 

o 2 



172 A VINDICATION OF 

deemer. Prepare me, Source of Bliss ! to enter the field 
where this spirit is again invited. — Holy All in All! in 
conviction's power to conversion bring, those who deny 
thy Holy Spirit's working: Visit with thy quickening 
Grace all who offend thy holy Law, who reject the 
Robe of glory given, to drape the soul in Freedom. 
Arouse the luke-warm slumberer, to feel thy whispering 
voice of love : And now he draws nigh : Deign to warm us 
with thy celestial fire : In me tune the heavenly chords, 
while I sing the song of glory ! adoring Nature's God !" 

Infidelity. tc How was man driven out of the Garden 
of Eden ? And what are the Cherubims and the flaming- 
sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the 
tree of life ?" 

Truth. " In the verse it is written, ' Therefore the 
Lord God sent him forth from the Garden of Eden, to till 
the ground from whence he was taken. ' # 

" In the 2nd chapter of Genesis, at the 15th verse, 

" ' And the Lord God took the man, and put him into 
the Garden of Eden, to dress it and to keep it.' 

" We have seen that, man was not a living soul, until 
God perfected his nature by breathing in him the breath 
of life, i.e. lives: thus distinguishing his dust from native 
earth, giving heaven to reign within him : Having con- 
templated the form of dust as a spiritualized Eden, within 
which was the Paradise of the Creator Omnipotent in the 
Tree of Life; when man's body in holiness shone the 
temple of the living God : we saw 'twas the Presence of 
Jehovah's glory which preserved Adam in that Paradise 
wherein Deity while honoured dwelt: until the Holy 
Spirit breathed the Tree of Life in the soul, the form of 
dust was dark and unfruitful : it was the Tree of Life ma- 
tured in the Sun of Righteousness, that caused the spirit- 

* Gen. iii. 2, 3. 



THE BOOK OF GENESIS. 173 

ualized Eden to bloom and yield immortal fruit. And so 
is every pious Prayer and Praise an offspring of that holy 
Tree: a radiance from the Sun that in Adam's Eden efful- 
gence beamed, before the stain of sin afflicted : ere he his 
God forgot, or fell from life to the death of sin, i. e. shut 
out from the effulgence of the glory wherein he lived, while 
enjoying the spirit calm; in communion with his Maker! 
content to be feeding on and clothed in the fruit of the 
tree whose life-giving streams with salvation watered his 
Eden temple in flo wings of joy, giving light and power, 
guiding him to drink delight, from the glories of creation ; 
in Terra's natural garden blooming. 

" Satan being distinguished as the tree of knowledge 
of good and evil, the spiritual serpent ; the prince of the 
power of the air permitted to corrupt man, and in se- 
ducing him, to afflict earth, as a natural consequence 
attending disobedience : The first of the human race lis- 
tened to the silent subtle serpent voice, when they em- 
braced in sin ; when the peace-destroying fiend whispered 
poison to their souls in fruit from his dark tree which 
shadowed is under the curse of Jehovah's frown : light 
and darkness cannot mingle: therefore when man's will 
and soul, inclining to darkness, consummated the evil 
deed, then did the Holy One, from his Spirit-glory, shut 
out the defiled clay leaving it to pass through his re- 
fining fire, ere it could be again received to dwell in the 
Paradise of his Presence ! Thus was Adam clouded by 
the Serpent's shadowing sting; so corruption flowed, in 
the then polluted garden : he had fallen from Paradise, 
because he forgot to guard himself in glory: he thus 
from Jehovah's spiritual Paradise fell : Seeing man's 
nature changed, we behold him from the natural Para- 
dise driven, by the Power Omnipotent ; who thus far had 
permitted, but whose hand here, the proud destroying 
torrent stayed : Adam offended the Source of Holiness, 
crime clouded the parent mother : her children expe- 



174 A VINDICATION OF 

rienced the change sin had wrought in both: Because, 
having embraced in the unholy fruit, lending the faculties 
of the mind to irrational excess, when entertaining unholy 
feelings of earthy matter, the venom they received in pas- 
sion, changing man's nature ; the ground was cursed for 
Adam's sake : his form being a portion of her dust, there- 
with earth's nature sympathizing, the sin received by 
him was felt to cloud the maternal bosom : Creation no 
longer her richer odours breathed as when, serene, her air 
was pure : Man's soul afflicted, then in darkening shadow 
distanced was, from her primeval glory ; his body, being 
charged with, knew suffering in corruption : Earth also re- 
quired his care to cultivate her soil : in this duty see him 
instructed by his Maker whose spirit-voice whispering in 
him signified his pleasure, as from the natural Eden man 
went forth to till the ground whence his form was taken : 
No longer did the Robe of dazzling splendour adorn Adam's 
dust: having defiled the temple wherein the Lord God 
breathed, he offended his Maker's Image in the spiritualized 
Eden; where erst the holy Presence lived: communing with 
the immortal soul ! — In such condition see the fallen 
sinner more sensibly experiencing love divine : God leaves 
him not in the power of the enemy, to whom he had 
yielded in sin: Almighty love vouchsafed a Ransom, 
Adam forgot his Maker ; but Deity's Love forsook not the 
disobedient child: — When Peter denied his Saviour he 
fell; yet Immanuel's pitying love did not forsake him: 
Jesus knowing that Peter's sorrow, for having denied his 
Lord, was sincere, when appearing to the woman, sent him 
consolation, and this because he repented : — After Adam 
fell the way was opened to him and his offsprings, while 
by sincere repentance and faith in the atonement, they 
used the Faculties of the soul to cultivate her spirit and 
correct the dust, that so, uniting Faith in works, they 
might return to inherit immortality: Forth then, man is 
sent to till the ground from whence he was taken ; that 



THE BOOK OF GENESIS. 175 

by cultivating the soil of the maternal parent, he might 
keep the earthy passions with which sin had afflicted his 
body, under the government of Reason ; as taught by the 
Monitor of Life permitted to speak within him : For, as 
God had not totally abandoned his favoured child, a star 
to guide the soul yet hovered near, apparent to the mental 
eye, when the sinner, repentant, sought the Lord ! So 
while he laboured to meliorate earth's vegetable offsprings, 
he also should reflecting use the light God's Spirit shone, 
to redeem his mis-spent hour, and rise in Life again. 
Thus the still small voice of Love divine whispered to 
Adam's soul his unfitness to remain in the glory of Him 
whose Effluence filled the Paradise Jehovah's purity dis- 
tinguished, ere into his temple garden he admitted sin's 
corruption in Satan's torrent to flow: conscience accus- 
ing, he acquiesced obedient to the voice which commanded 
him to forsake the garden where, in the natural Eden of 
man, pollution's pool then emitted contaminating vapours: 
thus did Adam by his own act derive, inhaling from the 
serpent's venom, the cloud that veiled heaven from his 
view: his soul then being obscured by Satan, sin, and 
death; he could not remain in Paradise. 

" s So He drove out the man ; and he placed at the east 
of the garden of Eden cherubims, and a flaming sword 
which turned every way to keep the way of the tree of life. ,# 

" When man embraced sin, Satan ascended the throne 
of his soul : God permitted this, because as a free-agent, 
it depended on man, and therefore he was, by his own 
sinful indulgence, driven from the Paradise where the 
Holiness of his Maker shone. Immediately he knew evil 
it was impossible for him to remain where he lived before 
he sinned : soon as he inclined to sin, light and glory from 
him fled, he fell to death, and thus was driven from life : 
his soul had sinned, and he died the death due to sin : 

* Gen. iii. 24. 



176 A VINDICATION OF 

ere he knew sin he lived in glory true : soon as impurity 
within him flowed, he became shut out from the presence of 
the fountain flowing spiritual day, whose streams had re- 
freshed his Eden of dust to preserve him in the glory of 
the tree of life. God permitted the serpent to beguile 
and afflict the soul of mankind, and, conquering them, to 
erect his standardjn her throne : The Almighty could have 
prevented this had his Wisdom so ordained ; but such in- 
tervention would be immediately opposed to Free- Agency: 
and 'twas necessary man should be created a Free- Agent, 
in perfecting the system of the universe, and in supplying 
the vast hiatus 'tween heaven and earth by interposing 
a rational creature who was to promote his own election, 
for which purpose he was placed in a state of probation, 
between heaven and hell, between his Friend and his 
enemy : neither can the will be altered without annulling 
the election and violating the laws of nature : — It has been 
asked, ' Why did not God prevent man sinning ?' The 
answer is obvious. Had the Omnipotent taken away the 
liberty of man's soul and the freedom of his will, to pre- 
vent sin ; the Basis of all virtue had thereby been de- 
stroyed, and the nature of man himself. Virtue is Virtue 
because there is a possibility of doing evil : had God 
given the parents of the human race full influences of 
his Holy Spirit, so as to have made it impossible for them 
to sin, man's nature would have been divine. — Nor would 
they have been free-agents had not power and means been 
provided for them to stand or fall, as their souls and 
wills might be disposed, and incline : Man of his own 
free-will cannot serve God; it is necessary that the will 
assent to the superior disposition of the soul, when she, 
feeling her need of saving grace, seeks her only Refuge : 
'tis then her Saviour hears the sinner's prayer, and sends 
his Holy Spirit's feeding aid : No, man ! sinful man ! a 
worm of dust, a shadowed spirit in corrupted clay ; cannot 
rise in glory to save himself: When awakened to feel his 



THE BOOK OF GENESIS. 177 

need he then looks up, but 'tis God attracts ; 'tis his pierc- 
ing sword that wounds to heal the soul, and brings the 
will to incline ; when she yields to Jehovah's attracting 
power : 'tis man's duty to seek, but salvation is of God ! 
His governing power attended the first of mankind, and 
attends us, and all men as Free-Agents : but not as ne- 
cessary agents. God gave to them, even as unto us, a 
sufficient portion of his Holy Spirit power and ready aid, 
to enable them, and us, to withstand the strongest tempta- 
tion : But let it be remembered, all their happiness de- 
pended on using the blessings without abusing the free- 
dom, in which they were created to promote the glory of 
God : had they looked to their God for protection when 
the enemy approached, inasmuch as He is Omnipo- 
tent over Satan, so would his shield of light have de- 
fended them ; God, being in them, was greater than Satan 
who was in the world, so, in all who fear him, the Holy 
Spirit is found to be more powerful than he that is in the 
world, i. e., than the serpent that emitted the seeds and 
principles of vice, which conveyed and now convey the 
figure and lineaments of the fiend Satan, who destroyed 
the peace of the first of mankind, by sin, to afflict the world 
with death's depraving shadow. Therefore, when Satan 
approached in spirit to offend : it became man, to resist 
the tempter that sin might not afflict the soul ; But her 
throne man ceded to the prince of the power of the 
air; they knew sin, then the evil spirit source was within 
them seated. Man having permitted Satan to attain the 
possession of his soul ; farther on the celestial road shadow 
could not advance : to convince the prince of hell of this 
see Jehovah's cherubims placed at the east of the garden 
of Eden, and a flaming sword which turned every way to 
keep the way of the tree of life. These faithful cherubims 
are yet attendant on the souls of men, but, because of 
sin, that blinds the mental eye, most frequent are unper- 
ceived by them ; yet illumined in the stream that is fed by 



178 A VINDICATION OF 

the tree of life, they are wielding their Father's omnipo- 
tent flaming swords preventing satanic subtlety approach- 
ing nearer to heaven's Gate, shutting the portals of Para- 
dise against every unholy presumptuous spirit : and at the 
same time preserving the way open, and presenting a guide, 
to every repentant sinner, who by faith and works may 
manifest a sincere desire, to enter and live in the way illu- 
mined by the Tree of Life : under whose branches Chris- 
tians heavenly Refuge find from the storms of earth, of 
life, of death, and power to conquer hell : There is his po- 
tent flaming Spirit sword under the Eye of Almighty God, 
guarding to guard, waiting to guide, his Redeemed in the 
way where alone they drink pure joy divine from Elohim's 
spiritual tree, wherein Jehovah lives, blooming to bloom, 
yielding to yield, Fruit, immortal in its Essence ! eternal 
in duration!" 

Infidelity. " Where might the first of the Human 
Race find consolation in their fallen state ?" 

Truth. " Their consolation lived, and in glory distant 
shone, in the gracious promise made of a Redeemer in 
Christ who should restore fallen man from Satan's power 
and deliver him from the death he had incurred by the Fall : 
For although the words of the promise were addressed to 
the serpent spirit, whom the human pair had permitted to 
ascend the throne of their soul, it was clearly revealed to 
their understanding, in conviction's power, unveiling to 
their mental eye the dawning of the Gospel-Day; foretelling 
a Mediator!" 

Infidelity. " What was the most afflicting conse- 
quence of the excess indulged ?" 

Truth. " The effect in the fruit springing from the 
cause of mortal sin will, tho' in shadow, show more true, 
by again glancing on the picture yet before us. 

" We have contemplated Jehovah Omnipotent, as the 
Omnipresent Tree of Life, the independent self-existing 
Triune-God, Lord over all, living in Light ! 



THE BOOK OF GENESIS. 179 

" I have also considered Satan to be the Tree of Know- 
ledge of Good and Evil, a prince in darkness, by the Lord 
of Life and Glory permitted to be, and also to tempt man- 
kind ; by influencing their form of dust; therein provoking 
passion's wave to swell, that man's soul and will may 
yield thereunto, while he, a foul fiend emits his fraud and 
guile, then rushes on ; and reigns within his prey. 

" In human nature we distinguish two powers active. 
1 First Omnipotent, Jehovah's Spirit in us is, offering to our 
acceptance, Glory in immortal Life ! — Secondly, Satan is 
also within man working, waiting, watching, that, finding 
our guard asleep, he may introduce sin and death — and, 

" Man being a Free-Agent, his soul has her choice, 
she may either live in freedom's Righteousness, by faith- 
fully seeking and serving God ; or, by sinning, fall a slave 
to Satan. From those two powers mankind cannot escape. 
' For if I ascend into heaven Thou, O God ! art there. 
From thy Presence, I cannot, would not flee. In our 
earthy nature Satan lurks, and will in us remain, while in 
earth we dwell ; we cannot move but he is with us : Our 
safety then depends on the disposition of the soul, even as 
her spirit may influence the inclining of the will. There 
are but two ways wherein mankind may walk, namely, the 
Path of Life in Light ; or the way of death in darkness. 
We have said there is no way wherein light and shadow 
mingles : therefore man must ascend in the presence of 
eternal day, or descend to the abode of everlasting night. 
— While Adam and Eve smiled innocent, they were full of 
light and though the serpent lay within their earthy na- 
ture, tempting them to swerve ; they had power to guard 
their nature pure, and to repel his suggestions : while they 
looked up Refuge presented in the Rock Omnipotent. 
But forgetting their God, Satan prevailed ; they left the 
Path of Light, to stray in the way of darkness : When, 
Eden that was created pure see changed, from an im- 
mortal Essence fallen to, and in, a mass of impure corrup- 



180 A VINDICATION OF 

tion so rendered by him ; whose spirit active engenders to 
the mind beguiling thoughts, presenting alluring shadows 
false : Satan had, and has, permitted power to lead all 
astray, who listen to his voice of death. They, as many 
now do, might think the shadow substance ; because it 
seemed to offer other gratifications to the inferior sense, 
not reflecting it was pregnant with passion's fever of 
death. Thus, Satan won the First, it is so, he now 
brings mankind to believe a lie, even before they yield 
their faculties to commit the sin for which they die. With 
a lie he deceived them ; the same means he uses now to 
lead us away from the Tree of Life : Satan knows that 
nothing is so precious as the fruit of Love, the source 
of happiness, in the Paradise of th' Almighty : he also 
is aware that nothing is so opposed to that Holy Being 
as sin of which his serpent is the original satanic source, 
a brooding gulph of hatred, where is and whence issues, his 
shadowing spirit in death : Incapable of knowing, except 
as torment, the sentiment of love, he hates God and man : 
hatred and sin, impure imps, in his suggestions, ascend to 
man's acceptance, as exhaled from his ever-boiling death- 
stained vale of never-dying woe. — In the mental Field we 
have seen the Child of God, from whom glory reflected 
around his hallowed temple where, while Eden as the lily 
blossomed, his spirit communed with her feeding Source ! 
Jehovah's Effulgence was his Robe of Light, even the 
Wedding-garment, without which he could not remain in 
his Creator's Paradise. Then a spirit streamlet, from the 
holy Fountain issuing, while the soul exalted breathed, in- 
creased her sacred joy : The trees in Terra's natural gar- 
den spread branching yielding fruit to refresh the heirs of 
bliss. A sovereign preserved in Eden's temple in free- 
dom's Love divinely blest ; lived drinking from the fount of 
knowledge true. Therefore, for man to seek, or desire other 
knowledge, was to convulse the order of nature, and so 
promote disorder and confusion: Yet, Satan suggested, in 



THE BOOK OF GENESIS. 181 

sin presenting, mankind receiving the venom, for them- 
selves and theirs ; fell from life to death : the sin com- 
mitted when excess in passion blinded, we have distin- 
guished. And now draw nigh to where the fatal effect of 
sinful excess, though dark, is clearly traced in the fourth 
chapter of Genesis : Where, it is written, 'And Adam knew 
Eve his wife and she conceived and bare Cain, and said, I 
have gotten a man from the Lord.' — Here we are intro- 
duced to the fruit of their excess : See their first offspring 
Cain, who was of the wicked one, # because conceived 
when Satan had made a gulph within the fallen pair, 
where in hell's effluvia the serpent hovered : In Cain we 
see the Parents' sin visited upon their issue who, with 
jealous envy fired, slew his Brother Abel (a name denoting 
sorrow, murmuring, or vanity) because his holy offering was 
accepted: while his own unholy was rejected: Because 
Abel's works were good : while those of Cain were evil. 
" The Covenant of the Law being written in their heart ; 
the Almighty whispering voice of Love, in mercy sug- 
gested, even as He may suggest to us, superior thoughts 
which were sustained by holy desires. Adam and his 
would see their Guide, when the heart desired to breathe 
with heaven, looking up, they might see their star of glory 
shine in the distance, on them attending. But ; soon as 
that saving Duty they neglected, the spirit eye was veiled ; 
their robes of glory fled ; leaving them in passion's fruit 
where clouding torrents flowed, deforming to deform, un- 
doing to undo ; destroying yet to destroy. Most striking is 
the Picture and more forcibly impressive, when we glance 
around to look on the multitude of human beings, who, in- 
dulging excess in Satan's shadow, have driven all beauty 
from their form, forcing Divinity to leave them in the 
pool of corruption, wherein they delight to plunge, slaves 
to passion's venom, feeding matter's fire, moving in unfelt 

* 1 John Hi. 12. 



182 A VINDICATION OF 

death, unconscious of their misery, and should^ the sword 
of conscience strike, they eager rush seeking relief in the 
serpent's sting, till death's embrace transports them to, 
the unfathomed gulph of misery's woe. But, blessed be 
Jehovah's Name and Word ! Although, when ushered into 
this world, the Infant with it brings the stain of Adam' sin, 
the Benefits of Christ's meritorious Death also accom- 
panies it, and therein is that which the Lord set forth as a 
Propitiation for the sins of the whole world. 

" Returning to the verse we derive that Satan influenced 
Cain to kill his Brother: See the murderer thus deep in the 
serpent's pit : hell within him raging in the flaming sword 
of conscience, forcing him to flee ; but not to find a resting 
place : The voice of Love that whispers to the soul he had 
rejected : within him the serpent his sceptre wielded : he 
being the seed corrupted by the fatal flow of death, with 
Satanic envy fired ; slew his Righteous friend and Brother. 
.... Eve said I have gotten a man from the Lord : # and 
calling him Cain, which name signifying Possession or 
Acquisition, she may have indulged a hope that Cain 
was the Promised Seed who should bruise the Serpent's 
head. 

u Advancing on our way we perceive that Eve bare a 
son whose name she called Seth : For God, said she, hath 
appointed me another son instead of Abel whom Cain 
slew.f 

" It is perceivable, in the Creation of the World, the 
governing of the same ; and the occurrences therein, that 
thereby Jehovah God teaches more powerfully, and awakens 
a more evident testimony in the conscience of mankind : 
nevertheless, man influenced by his Holy Spirit is an in- 
strument employed by his Maker to awaken more imme- 
diate, lively, and sudden impressions: an effect it often 
has, particularly upon those in whom a reflective observa- 

* Gen. iv. 1. f Gen. iv. 25. 



THE BOOK OF GENESIS. 183 

tion of things is shut out by Satan's cloud of sin. When 
the Tongue of man bears witness to the same things God 
by his Creation speaks : or that He by his Word, or in any 
other manner makes known: then the voice that is so 
heard may be called a voice from God proceeding, breath- 
ing emanations with which the soul is fed by the overflow- 
ings of Jehovah's Fountain source of Love ! and so it is, 
whether the first impression be received from the still 
small voice that speaks within us, where the Eternal 
Father's Spirit holds divine communion with man : 
whether it be awakened within us when, delighted, we on 
Creation gaze ; or whether we profit by any other visible 
or vocal way, by those who are inspired to reveal Jehovah's 
truths : All these may be considered as One Word and 
Doctrine, each having its particular use, and yielding its 
particular fruit; according to the disposition and capacity 
it meets with : thus do each in heavenly harmony confirm 
the other, forming a more impressive union, and promoting 
the gracious Ends for which they were by the God of 
Providence ordained, namely, Man's growth in Grace, in 
Knowledge, and holiness of Life, using the talents com- 
mitted to his care to advance his Maker's glory, ever re- 
garding it a sacred Duty to vindicate the eternal Word 
that Jehovah and his glorious Attributes may receive the 
holy reverence men owe to Him whose Love created them. 
" Glancing on Adam when he had attained his 460th 
year he is seen, as the Father of all mankind, rejoicing to 
behold Seth, and his descendants preaching the Word of 
the Living God, under the immediate approving smile of 
their paternal Tree who, to see them bear accepted fruit, 
seemed to bloom again But with Cain's descend- 
ants it was not so: they sought pleasure only in earthly 
things, indulging inferior passions, and pursuing that, 
wherein their ingenuity lay : some committing rapine and 
murder, entertaining satanic ideas of right and wrong, 
using every subtle artifice to palliate guilt; delighting 



184 A VINDICATION OF 

only in sensual things : Having strayed from God they fell 
deeper and deeper into sin's cloud of depravity : shut out 
from the glory of their Creator, they were strangers to his 
divine nature: continually seeking gratification in and 
from perishable things : Blinded in sensuality, they re- 
jected the Pearl of Life, and chose the dross of death, 
sinking lower and lower in the overwhelming torrent, in- 
sensible of the filthiness that so degraded them in the 
death-stained prison where they delighted to remain. And 
tho' Light may have oft within the conscience flashed 
conviction's warning voice, to admonish and show them 
the fearful consequences of Sin ; to the redeeming voice 
they listened not; they were in Satan's kingdom, as 
slaves to him they moved : he within them reigning im- 
penitent they remained : their portion in this life God per- 
mitted them, they knew not a holy Refuge, but made the 
world their home, and had no superior expectation ; quaf- 
fing the deadly juice that proved a fatal bane; yoked in 
with him they served, alive were they to passions foul, but 
dead to all superior, grasping only at worldly wealth, and 
lustful gratifications, in this state they distinguished are ; as 
the children of men. 

" But, of Adam's children, Seth and his offsprings were 
preserved, and proved a blessing to their parent Tree 
also, to all mankind : From his Loins was to issue, the Seed 
to bruise the spirit serpent's head : Seth and his children 
distinguished were, as seed conceived in the womb of Eve 
after sincere repentance and faith in the New Covenant 
had re- admitted her to the favour of Jehovah in the Cove- 
nant of Grace, and these were called the Sons of God: 
— working for his glory, they by Precept and Example 
advocated the cause of Piety and Holiness admonishing 
sinners against the profane and sensual life that clouded 
the depraved descendants of Cain : whose chief pursuits 
were, to possess, to people, and to cultivate the earth: 
feeding their sensual nature, idol worship was to them a 



* 



THE BOOK OF GENESIS. 185 

fancied sweet ; for as yet the bitter dregs were hid : But 
Seth and his offsprings revered the Spirit Lamp that with- 
in them shone, revealing truths divine; living thus they 
were called the children of God. e Enoch walked with 
his God; until it pleased the holy I Am! to receive him 
unto himself; then he no longer was on earth, for God took 
him : Herein is seen the translation to which Adam and 
Eve may have been subject to, before they fell.' 

" In the sinful contagion that afflicted the world offend- 
ing Jehovah's Holy Spirit; glorious is the sight to behold 
one righteous man, serving the Lord with faithfulness : 
See Noah continually exercising himself in divine worship: 
When the voice of love and mercy, proclaiming the glad 
tidings of Salvation by Repentance, Faith, and Works, in 
and through the Redeemer promised, was by the w r orld 
forgotten: when the spirit-star, rejected, retired from the 
clouded mental vision, leaving sinners blind in torrents 
which rolled foaming the silent groans of anguish; in 
misery unfelt wherein mingled death in hell : the prevailing 
influence of which see powerful in promoting impure con- 
nection : unholy unions and every flagrant wickedness, op- 
posed to Jehovah's Law, were by Cain's Race committed : 
— and now see the sons of God marrying the daughters of 
men, begetting a people distinct who became distinguished 
as naturally impure, and violent ; in craftiness and cruelty 
monsters ; and monstrous in every excess of evil. For, by 
mingling the voluptuous ferocity and cruelty of Cain's 
Race, and the temperance, devotion, and wisdom of Seth's 
offsprings ; the children partaking of both natures, would 
be unlike either, and growing up they exercised tyranny 
under the assumed veil of sanctity, unjustly seeking to 
amass wealth, oppressing and reducing others to slavery. 
The knowledge they retained and sought, was, in building, 
planting, and dressing lands of which they by fraud had 
taken possession ; adding house to house and field to field, 
on intemperance and luxury feasting in carnal gratifica- 

p 



186 A VINDICATION OF 

tions, and dissolute debaucheries. The Holy-Spirit-sun to 
them eclipsed, they existed unmindful of the Majesty of 
Heaven, whose Law they transgressed, until, their lusts 
and sinful ingratitude, provoked Jehovah's chastening 
frown. 

" The wickedness of mankind was so deplorable and 
human nature so corrupted, that, as we read, Noah took 
not a wife until he was advanced in the field of life, so that 
he was about 500 years old when his first child was born. 

" And here as a natural result, it may be concluded 
that the ferocious practices of men introduced greater 
enmity and rage among and in the beasts of the earth : 
while, seeing men so deformed by sin ; the more gentle 
among the creatures, would flee from man as from a peace 
and life offender. 

" In the overwhelming dissolution we are guided to con- 
template Noah, living in favour with God ; See him en- 
treating the wretched multitude to forsake sin, reminding 
them that all things were created to partake of the 
Creator's bounty, and that each in his nature distinct 
should in peaceful calm enjoy: In vain did he preach 
Righteousness to the children of Belial. God in holy 
forbearance, for repentance, accorded time : Above an 
hundred years did Noah his Ministry faithful perform, 
making known to them the Almighty Will : imploring 
them to repent, and turn unto Him whose Law they had 
rejected: shewing them that the Omnipotent sword was un- 
sheathed ; to punish their rebellion : Behold the Judgment 
divine suspended, as about to drop from the Finger of 
God; and yet, they repent not; neither regard Noah's 
admonitions : him they heard, his voice, tho' music sweet, 
passed by, and left no echo in them : because they per- 
ceived not the living luminary, nor felt the silent voice 
whispering ; salvation to the soul : Like seed corrupt, more 
and more continuing to degenerate, they fell from sin 
deeper and deeper into Satan shadow. We have seen that 



THE BOOK OF GENESIS. 187 

Enoch after he begat Methuselah was not, for God took 
him : Distinguished also is his son Methuselah, Noah's 
grandfather : whose tears see bathe his aged cheeks as he 
viewed the wrath of God hovering near; waiting to burst in 
Judgment divine on the rebellious multitude. 

" ' And it repented the Lord, that He had made man on 
the earth, and it grieved him at his heart.'* 

" The Creator determined to destroy the sinful human 
race, with every corrupted tribe in creation living, saving 
only the family He in infinite wisdom had ordained should 
re-people the earth, that the allwise, divine Design in the 
creation of the world might yet have full erTect.f God's 
Love for those created to reflect the glory of his image be- 
ing infinite and eternal He would not entirely sweep them 
from the earth corrupted : But the Justice of Jehovah re- 
quired that sinners who had so abused his long suffering 
and despised his mercy, after the great things He had 
done for them, should perish in their ingratitude : that the 
forms of earth by them abused should return to dwell 
with dust ; in the maternal bed. — Noah faithful to his God 
and them continued : But see ! the heaven, influenced by 
the Almighty frown, manifesting Deity's displeasure, to the 
inhabitants of this earth— Contemplate the Orb of nature's 
day frowning on the lower creation : while the silvery 
queen of night, blushing a crimson purple, meets other 
alarming signs contagious, as earthquakes, tempests, ex- 
cessive heat ; lands thirsting to drink in life ; barren sea- 
sons succeeding ; the alarming comet shooting down his 
threatenings in warning visitations, and pestilential signs : 
all witnesses from the Lord of heaven and earth to the 
polluted progeny of Cain ; and the mixed seed. Among 
whom see those who presumed to understand the course 
of nature, declaring that the manifestations of God's anger 
which in the heaven presented, was an effect of the 
natural cause in the course of nature working; that the 

* Gen. vi. 6. t Gen. ix. 

p2 



188 A VINDICATION OF 

mournful Robes in which the Sun and Moon were fre- 
quent veiled, caused were by a density of air: earth- 
quakes they may have attributed to winds pent up in 
the bosom of the earth : the comets to inflammative sub- 
stances in the vast expanse of ether kindled : and, the 
storms, tempests, droughts, pestilence, with every other 
afflicting evil, to a similar natural cause ; repudiating 
thus God's governing Providence, unthankfully receiv- 
ing the blessings given by his bounteous Hand, as flow- 
ing to them in the course of nature, presuming, as some 
now do, that God may have created mankind, but 
that being no longer careful for the creatures so created 
he placed them on earth to provide for themselves. — The 
imagination of their hearts being evil continually; the 
Almighty determined to destroy those who called not upon 
his holy Name in spirit and in truth, and caused Noah to 
prepare the "ark for himself and family : soon the ark is 
finished : And God said unto Noah, ' The end of all flesh 
is come before me, for the earth is filled with violence 
through them : and, behold, I will destroy them with the 
earth. ' # — Go thou into the ark ; thou and thine : likewise 
all creatures, as I have directed. — See Noah obeying the 
Divine command ; and God, at the time appointed, in his 
governing Providence guiding the creatures to enter the 
ark ; influencing the instinct spirit given, as adapted to the 
nature of each, to direct them, to the place prepared for 
them : therein their natures sympathized in calm content, 
even as when first they lived in Eden's terrestrial garden : 
so hastened they to enter the ark : but the children of 
men profited not by their example. 

" At the hour appointed the righteous Family entered, 
even while the weather continued serene ; see the trees 
also in cheerful verdure clad ; the corn ripe to sing. 

" But, the afflicted Race now to destruction doomed 
engaged in building, tilling, planting, marrying, dancing, 
* Gen. vi. 13. 






THE BOOK OF GENESIS. 189 

singing, anticipating no interruption to their worldly em- 
ployments, or to their festive scenes. — Thus, Behold them ! 
When, sudden the glory of the sky retires, the heaven 
draped in sable hue ; the voice they rejected then is in 
thunder heard, lightnings in vivid flash increase the crea- 
ture alarming terror, exalting the scene to awful grandeur : 
For shelter then see the mockers run, thinking the torrent 
will soon be hushed. But visible night brings storm and 
tempests, in gloomy clouds infolded, yielding destroying 
rain: see earth's central fountain bursting her veins, to 
meet her offspring, opening wide her springs whence 
gushed forth torrents ; whose music mocked the roaring 
sea ! o'erwhelming to overwhelm. — Joyous scenes then 
ceased on earth : the slaves to sin no longer thought of 
weddings or carnal feasting : the conquering element them 
surrounding, wildly see them stare, seeking relief, if in the 
bursting of a cloud they might consolation find : But, in- 
stead of Hope in glory's glimpse beaming from the skies : 
more clouded grew the mournful vault, while ascending 
through earth's surface, and from the windows of heaven 
descending, unceasing torrents pour, increasing the sin- 
ner's terror Lamentation and agonizing cries then 

heard, parents, each other embracing, their offsprings seek 
to save: thinking then on God, some may have pro- 
nounced his holy Name. — Seeing the ark begin to move, to 
it they looked for help ; but, the day of grace was past : 
They had rejected the warning voice. Jehovah's decree 
forth had gone : then it was too late. With the visiting 
elements' din, terror: cries, and sorrow, mingle, which 
tended to cloud the spirit gloom ; o'er-charging the soul 
with sadness : the heavens more deeply frowning ; the rain 
and flood impetuous pouring ; # then did the wretched see 
the wisdom of the pretended wise men baffled, and ready 
no doubt, to admit, that those who deduced all things 
from nature, who honoured not God as the Creator and 
* Gen. vii. 



190 A VINDICATION OF 

Director of all antecedent signs, had with them indulged 
a fatal error. — Voluptuousness and ostentation then among 
them cease, all being doomed to suffer in the o'erwhelming 
deluge : The richest with the poorest ; the proudest with 
the servile : the tyrant with the slave, now mingle in the 
destroying element : then did their sin-serpent-winding, 
sudden recoil on them : all were swept away in death ; 
save those within the ark. 

" ' And the waters prevailed upon the earth an hundred 
and fifty days : And God remembered Noah and every 
living thing, and all the cattle that was with him in the 
ark : And God made a wind to pass over the earth, and 
the waters assuaged ; The fountains also of the deep were 
stopped, and the rain from heaven restrained; and the 
waters returned from off the earth : And after the end of 
the hundred and fifty days the waters were abated.' # 

" ' And the ark rested upon the mountains of Ararat. '*f- 

" Earth's torrents having returned to their bed, pursued 
by much of the matter which erst was on her bosom ; her 
garden being again prepared for their reception; Noah 
and all that was with him, at the command of God went 
forth from the ark, to revisit their native habitation ; and 
to witness the change that had taken place : Noah offer- 
ing — a holy sacrifice, I AM, approving thereof, said, 
He would no more the world destroy by a flood of waters, 
but that seed-time and harvest shall remain until the end. 

" Pious breathings in grateful offerings please God above 
all besides ; and these accepted were by, I AM ! of Noah 
even as had been the offering, and holy breathings, of Abel. 

" We are reminded of the CovenantJ made with Noah, 
in the appearing of the glorious Rainbow in the clouds, 
which divine effect, as far as it is permitted finite mind to 
scan the Almighty Work, seems to be produced by the 
glory flowing from the sun appearing opposite to a rainy 
sky : In the Bow we may see three distinct colours united 

* Gen. viii. 1 — 3. f Gen. viii. 4. % Gen. ix. 13. 



THE BOOK OF GENESIS. 191 

reflecting into each other, producing flexes and reflexes 
which in celestial beauty crown the glorious arc-en-ciel. 
Draped in glory's Robe, the blue may remind us that, the 
earth was once destroyed by water: the green that fertility, 
seed time, and harvest, shall continue while time may be : 
and the red may denote that earth shall be changed by 

fire Beautifully in the solemnity of sublimity does 

the Finger of Jehovah distinguish these his colours where- 
in is seen a trinity in union joined, mingling distinct; in 
harmony divine ! " 

Infidelity. " Did the earth continue the same after 
the Deluge as before the Flood ?" 

Truth". " After her waters had retired to their central 
fountain in her bosom depth ; # then, in her substance earth 
remained the same : But on her surface see features new 
present : By the Deluge descending from above, and in 
torrents rushing from earth's centre, hills laid low and 
valleys filled, burying trees and, varying, water's prey, with 
skeleton remains of fishes, beasts, and birds, deep in the 
maternal bosom to excite the wonder of succeeding gene- 
rations, and more strikingly draw attention to reflect on 
the cause, and to contemplate the convulsion earth knew 
when sinners were swept away : see rivers also from their 
courses turned by the Cause that created and made, by 
the Power that fills and opens. Hence, sea-shells and 
marine monsters as well as other remains of animals, are 
frequent found in the strata of Terra's surface : some were 
entombed in the towering mountain, others buried in the 
abyss beneath, and many see drank in with the receding 
torrents which, when bid, having performed their duty re- 
turned to earth's central Flow, being aid, to sustain her 
body afloat. Yet earth's matter to earth still adhered : 
and yet adheres: altho' where erst a valley smiled in 
nature's joyous tints, a torrent then might lurking roll, or 
rush between the thirsting rocks. — Look on Jehovah's 

* Deut. xxxiii. 13. 



192 A VINDICATION OF 

mighty working, in his directing, governing Providence, 
see graves deep within the mountain's bosom hid : and 
wonder not that the face of earth is changed : also know 
that none but the Eye of God beheld the solemn entomb- 
ment, when creatures of superior and inferior bulk were 
buried in the convulsion and disfigurement of the ante- 
diluvian world. — The streams which once from the terres- 
trial Eden flowed were not distinguished : the source of the 
fertilizing Nile was in the Upper Ethiopia ; from the 
Mountains of Caucasus Hiddekel flowed : Mesopotamia 
gave the Tigris ; Armenia the Euphrates sent forth ; thus it 
is seen that although the world had not been new created : 
Earth's family and features had experienced a transmuta- 
tion : therefore the face of nature would be changed, as an 
effect which should, as ordained, attend the cause ; the ter- 
restrial Eden then no longer known : But the human Eden 
remains and will while time shall be ; the spiritual Eden 
also lives for time distinguished, to bloom, or blighted be, 
in the infinite field of Eternity. These are sought, found, 
and entertained, through Faith in Christ the Redeemer's 
Blood, shed for man that he may be reconciled unto the 
Saviour in his God ! " 

Infidelity. " How may the spiritual Eden be distin- 
guished ?" 

Truth. " The Eden Deity deigned to spiritualize was 
man's form of dust within which was Divinity's Paradise 
the soul wherein the Tree of Life blossomed in immortal 
fruit; the throne of this Sovereign Tree was the Heart, 
communicating with the four principal streams: two of 
which feed the fountain of the heart ; by two, life flows 
therefrom, conveying the living rivulets over the Eden of 
dust. We have shown also that man is influenced by the 
spirit he entertains in his mind, whose seat being in the 
heart; thence proceedeth the thought: the power which 
enables man to conceive a thought is a principle inherent in 
the soul, whose throne the heart is: there either the Tree of 



THE BOOK OF GENESIS. 193 

Life is honoured ; or the tree of good and evil entertained : 
It may not be said that the tree of life is by man per- 
ceived as unto him it in glory shone in his primeval bliss ; 
such ceased soon as sin was embraced : But a radiant 
Branch from that tree bearing fruit divine in the spirit star 
waits on every human being, in the Christian's soul it 
shines in glory : it attends those who live without God, and 
frequent knocks at the door of the soul, to be admitted, to 
illumine sinners who reject the saving impulse ; therefore 
it is, Jesus saith, ' I am the Vine, ye are the branches ; # 
he that abideth in me and I in him, the same bringeth 
forth much fruit, for without me ye can do nothing.' Here 
we distinctly learn that Christ our Head is the Tree of 
Life ; also if we yield fruit to his glory, He regards us as 
branches of his holy Vine. Then does he commune with 
our spirit by the golden chain that attaches us to Him : 
But men cannot know this unless they abide in him and 
He in them : If we live in Him, his regenerating streams 
flow within us ; his kingdom is in our heart, He reigns in 
our soul renewing our nature while his refining fire of 
love, fits us more and more to enjoy his Presence: And 
as Grace renews a right spirit in our soul, so do we re- 
gain the glory of his image : But it is the spiritualizing es- 
sence of his holy Tree ! more precious rendered to each 
soul, by redeeming Blood, that works in us this change. 
Jesus saith, ' If a man love me, he will keep my words : 
and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him 
and make our abode with him.' ' I and my Father are 
One;'f so even in the Tree of Life, will God, through 
Christ, send his Holy Spirit to reign in the soul, to comfort 
and succour man. We will make our abode with him; our 
invigorating Spirit Breath shall beautify his Eden, the 
Temple where our Paradise shall be established : The same 
Saviour does reign in the hearts of Ms people ; so do the 
living streams, refreshing to refresh, flow throughout the 

* John xv. 5. etc. t John x. 30, 



194 A VINDICATION OF 

spiritualized Eden garden, where his Presence fills; and 
tho' Satan in serpent windings, may storm our battery 
with his infernal legion, continuing faithful we prove 
more than conquerors through Him who loveth us : 
Strengthened by the Omnipotent, we conquer Satan, death, 
and hell. Our Spirit hovering in the fluid life, regene- 
rating more and more, refines the dust, exalts the mind to 
dwell on things above, where our Hope is centred in the 
Rock of Ages, whence gushes forth holy nectar to refresh 
and invigorate each thirsting soul, creating a heaven-born 
spirit, in the heart. Thus holding intercourse with heaven 
we are filled to overflowing with redeeming glory, and 
therein guided by the spirit star, to bathe in holy Jesus' 
Fountain that continual breathes, feeding in the way to 
Zion's Hill, where the weary, rejoicing, accepted soul; 
sings the Song of Rest ! 

" Not so with those who slaves to Satan live ; a spiritual 
Eden their form may be called, because the serpent a 
spirit is ; in them satanic agency reigns ; sin has taken pos- 
session of the soul, corrupt are the streams flowing to and 
from the heart, visiting a body, that is full of corruption 
and putrifying, contaminating sores, shadowing the form of 
clay with deadly venom from the Serpent's sting that dis- 
tances them from God, from his Glory shuts them out. 
Their mental eye blinded is, by clouds exhaled from hell, 
save when the spirit-sword of conscience speaks whose 
mighty voice deeper sinks them in the unfathom'd gulph 
of misery's woe : — But consoling 'tis to know ; Jehovah is 
a wall of fire round about those who serve him faithfully : 
He also the Glory is in the midst of them. 

" The shadowed types the Law present and the pre- 
dictions of the Prophets are full to o'erflowing with Jeho- 
vah's treasures : But shadow intervening rendered them 
obscure, until the Word Himself came, to unveil the 
truths his Holy Spirit inspired. — The glories of the 
Bible Field, where living waters flow, were not felt by the 



THE BOOK OF GENESIS. 195 

world, because unconscious blindness, wherein the multi- 
tude existed, shut out its glory from them. — Jesus the 
Author came, and with Him the Key of Life, to open the 
immortal casket that with salvation feeds the hungering 
soul, speaking peace unto her spirit/' 

Infidelity. " What is meant by the guiding star? — 
How may the same be distinguished?" 

Truth. " The guiding star is a glory that waits to 
adorn the soul. To approach its effulgence, for a mo- 
ment, look at the Sun the Orb of natural day. You see 
his fountain flowing light. When clouds do not inter- 
vene, veiling his rays from the mortal eye, you are ena- 
bled to see the sun, by the light beaming from his source 
to your vision: But, though the sun be shining in the 
power of meridian splendour, if you cover your eyes so as 
to shut out the influence of that luminary, you remain in 
shadow, in the midst of light ; and the darkness is pro- 
found, as the covering of the eye may be thick and im- 
pervious : this is obvious and naturally discerned : now then 
consider the sun as shooting a ray to each creature in crea- 
tion, be it in the air, earth, or sea. In that ray is the spark of 
instinctive spirit life, sent by the First Cause to give the 
living fire, that awakens, and calls creations works into 
the presence of its light, chasing in its approach the ob- 
scuring cloud leaving the creature, whether in the mineral, 
vegetable, or animal kingdom, to breathe in life. But — 
The guiding star given to man is spiritually dis- 
cerned : Think then, and see, that when quickened in the 
womb, then is the infant acknowledged by the quickening 
Spirit power, of the Creator God ; who has breathed into 
its nostrils the breath of life. —And, besides breathing into 
its spirit the breath of life, the Creator of the body and the 
Giver of the soul, thus quickening and acknowledging 
the babe, also permits a Divine sun-beam, emanating from 
his Fountain, to point spiritual life to the soul of the 
child which ray bears a spirit-star wherein the seed of 



196 A VINDICATION OF 

salvation is ; in the guiding star which attends the crea- 
ture so created : But, all mankind from Adam in the 
affected nature of their body, as influenced by the ser- 
pent's spirit working in the flesh of the offspring, being 
shadowed and corrupt, causes a sinful vapour to hover 
before the mental infant-eye : so that the star given 
as the guide to glory, remains within the Eden of clay 
unperceived because of the cloud of corruption which the 
serpent's sting has left to veil the effulgence of Jehovah : 
Many, through time, into eternity pass, unconscious the 
living lamp was within them lighted, and fed with oil of 

redeeming Love! Sometimes the divine spark 

proclaims salvation in the child at an early age : We often 
delighted see children guided by its power, to commune 
with their Maker : their countenance speaks the lamp is 
burning : By cultivating the garden of the soul, breathing 
holy desire more and more to know, to love, and to serve 
God, the spark divine capacious grows, then more and 
more expands in glory, even to hover in the vault of in- 
finity, embracing suns and worlds, carrying us beyond the 
nether orbs, where without limit we gaze in the bosom of 
heaven's canopy : there, borne beyond the orbits of glow- 
ing systems and the glory twinkling host celestial, man in 
exalted wonder is filled, with the o'erflowings of eternity : 
Retracing again the path, to look on native earth, he may 
visit other worlds on his way, and there commune with 
happier beings, who fell not from their primceval bliss ! 

" Immanuel removed the barrier sin had interposed to 
distance mankind from God, He unveiling the mysterious 
Volume, approving the Law Elohim gave, # fulfilling the^ 
predictions of the Prophets: while on earth in Jehovah's 
glory, of Life eternal He revealed his Father's will : 
He came to redeem from the death of sin : In Him the Sun 
of Righteousness arose, more effulgent in glory, beaming 
healing in his rays, feeding Christian spirits with sovereign 
* Luke xvi. 29. 



THE BOOK OF GENESIS. 



197 



balm, in the awakening renewing Power of his Peace 
proclaiming Messenger, the Herald of Light and Life ; that 
continual brings the o'erflowings of immortality ! in the 
guiding star : But, man cannot distinguish this torch of 
Divine Love until he feels his need of saving Grace, and 
breathes desire to know his Saviour : then the intercepting 
film falls away, as forced to retire by the holy flaming 
sword Omnipotent, the mental eye then sees the luminary : 
the hungering soul rises in his light, and, thirsting, drinks 
her fill of joy, from the springs of ImmanuePs life bleeding 
Fountain ; wherein the spirit is called to bathe ! 

" While darkness reigns in man, he, as the barren fig- 
tree unfruitful is, # in midnight shadow existing : when 
illumined by the guiding star his grateful soul may gaze 
on heaven and commune with the Author of her Being ! 

" The disciples of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ 
loved Him, but to them was unknown that which could be 
revealed only through the mediatorial Path of the Re- 
deemer's Blood !f The Ransom had not been paid ; the 
Covenant of Grace was not then openly sealed : and this 
was expedient, since 'twas only by that crimson flowing, 
pardon-sealing Fountain, mankind could experience the 
influence of the Holy Spirit the Comforter whom Jesus 
promised should guide them into all truth. They believed 
the Saviour, but twilight filled their minds : they needed 
the luminary the Comforter brings which Christ engaged 
the Father through Him should send, after his departure 
from them. 

" That the great work of Redemption might be finished ; 
the Messiah knew it was expedient for Him to go away : 
He therefore soothed their sorrowing spirits ; by the gra- 
cious promise therein increasing their faith, He gave con- 
solation to be with them, thus calming the affliction his 
absence would occasion, and causing them to wait pa- 
tiently, the Spirit of Truth ; He had ordained should visit 

* Mark xi. 20. f John vii. 39. 



i98 A VINDICATION OF 

their souls as the fruit of his suffering and death ; as well 
as of his power to perform the promise : It also was neces- 
sary they should feel the influence of the Comforter ere 
they could acknowledge the Triune God, or be aware of 
Jehovah's uniting and united Attributes. Their inclining 
souls required to be fully illumed, also to mingle in the 
Spirit of Truth, to know the Holy Ghost ; the Redeemer 
thro' whom life to their spirits flowed, and Elohim ! in 
Trinity ! The Holy Ghost the Comforter reveals to us the 
Divine Mystery, to which we attain only through the 
Redeemer who bled and died to save mankind : When on 
earth, Deity in the Saviour inspired his disciples with 
holy awe and reverential fear : the best disposition their 
souls could know, inclined to Him they loved : They 
knew He was the Christ ; but until the price was paid they 
could not fully know Him, who came to redeem them. 

" After He yielded his blood on Calvary : He prayed 
the Father to send his disciples another Comforter : None 
but Jesus could bruise the serpent's head ; none but he 
could conquer death and hell. Interceding for man, his 
Holy Spirit by free Grace working in us inclines our heart 
to love him who died that we may live : From the Father 
through him must flow to us the spiritual light wherein 
only is power, to dispose and convert the soul, and guide 
man to look up to the luminary burning in the living way 
his death for sinners opened : Think ye, who deny the 
Deity of the Messiah, of Jesus' Love, Love divine all love 
excelling : to wash away pollution's stain, He freely gave 
himself to bleed when Calvary sorrowing trembling wept, 
see the heavens frown an alarming j udgment, on the crime 
of Satan's sons; who crucified their Creator! In this 
solemn scene, the Christian consolation drinks, from 
Mercy's Well, # to know, that ascending on high He bruis- 
ing the Serpent's head led captivity captive and received 
gifts for men; the draught due to whose crime he had 

* John iv. 6. — Rev. xxii. 1. 



THE BOOK OF GENESIS. 199 

drank ; to win our soul unto him : Then did He send his 
disciples the Spirit Comforter to guide them into all truth : 
'tis He gives us the star of eternity, that invites us to in- 
hale refreshing streams to increase our mental treasure, 
whenever we thirsting seek to drink from his illuming 
Spirit-sun, eternal feeding in the Tree of Life ; to restore in 
the figure of fallen man ; the image of his Maker ! 

" The Grace of God that bringeth Salvation hath ap- 
peared unto all men, teaching us that denying ungodliness 
and worldly lusts we should live soberly, righteously, 
and Godly in this present world. Herein is enjoined, an 
observance of our duty to God, or Godliness, our own 
everlasting happiness, salvation, and sobriety, Righteous- 
ness which includeth chanty. Jesus our Redeemer the 
Grace of God brought salvation to mankind from the 
bosom of the Almighty Father : then Life and immortality 
flowed in the Tree of Life Adam left, when he from glory 
fell. — Forget not, Remember, the same serpent spirit is 
active in your form of dust watching to find you off your 
guard, that his evil suggestions may prevail. He fears the 
influence of those who by speaking or writing expose his 
guile : Preachers of Righteousness he seeks to destroy : he 
tempted Noah, Noah fell: Lot fell. Satan feared Jesus' 
power and in hell's dark ignorance worked in the human 
nature which veiled Deity's Effulgence, seeking to conquer 
the King of Heaven, equally blind in the presumptuous 
aim as when, in blissful regions he rebellious proved. The 
more exalted Apostle Paul was tempted, even borne to the 
third heaven : but, as had his divine Master, so he 
overcame, Christ's Spirit preserved him, and the same 
Saviour will preserve us, if we do his Will and trust in 
Him ; his Grace is sufficient for us, # if faithfully we con- 
fide in Him, He will succour us : Tempted we shall be ; 
but, if we prove faithful unto death He will give us a 
crown of Life. 

* 2 Cor. xii. 9. 



200 A VINDICATION OP 

" Jehovah shields and guards his own ! He protects 
the Word of Life ! His flaming sword wielded is, turning 
every way, to preserve his people, when they unto him 
look and faithful proving, pray for aid. Drawing nigh to 
Helion through Jesus the sinner's Friend — who the gra- 
cious promise with his chosen left, saying, ' If ye love me 
keep my commandments: And I will pray the Father, and 
He shall give you another Comforter that he may abide 
with you for ever; even the Spirit of Truth; whom the 
world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither 
knoweth him : but ye know him, for he dwelleth with you 
and shall be in you.' # 

u Here presents the soul consoling promise, the Messiah 
left with his disciples; — The Father of whom the Re- 
deemer spoke is the Omnipotent, Elohim, Jehovah ! with 
whom and in whom as we have, in our way hither, seen, 
He the Beloved Son, united is ; and from these Two pro- 
ceeds the Holy-Ghost the Comforter! whom Christ promised 
should be sent to abide with his disciples for ever. Dis- 
tinguishing herein the Three Divine Persons co-eternal — 
and co-equal— in Office distinct, in Essence united ! Re- 
flecting a moment on the holy Picture ; the Redeemer is 
seen speaking comfort to the souls of his chosen : In the 
Holy Jesus more glorious view, the Mediator of the New 
Covenant; the Covenant of Grace: By Deity, in him, in- 
terceding for us, we rise from the Death of sin to Life in 
Glory ! He the Friend of sinners came, to pass a weari- 
some pilgrimage on earth, and, departing, to suffer the 
death of the Cross, for Adam and his children : -f The Lamb, 
bleeding on Moriah Mountain, purchased the Redemption 
of Mankind : Dying, He opened the way wherein sinners 
may walk in the light that flows from the Tree of Life, 
whose Spirit is ; the Fountain Sun of Righteousness. 

u Yet, Remember, the death due to sin indulged, at- 
tends those who fear not God ; their soul remains in Satan's 

* John xiv. 16, 17. f Gal. ii. 20. 



THE BOOK OF GENESIS. 201 

clouded valley, blinded are they engendering and nursing 
criminal passions : their figure grows deformed : confusion's 
boiling tumult of sin-charged waves roll within their 
bosom, sinking sinners low : no peaceful calm is known to 
them : the sword of conscience, unsheathed before the 
mental eye ; makes the guilty tremble. — ' Think also and 
know that nothing but the Fountain from Calvary flowing 
can wash the envenomed stain away, or cleanse the pol- 
luted soul. Without Faith working through Jesus' Blood 
none can e'er approach the Lord ! Jesus God live in 
One ! God the Father ! God the Son ! the Law, God the 
Father willed ! the same, God the Son fulfilled ! 

" When the tempter suggests evil, resisting his sugges- 
tions keep thy heart looking to the Holy Jesus, through 
Him and in Him is the Fount of Life : His Eternal Tree 
is the Rock wherein your Refuge is : He alone is able to 
deliver : He will deliver you, if you look to Him and pray 
for aid. Resist therefore the devil and he from your soul 
will flee : # and though your clay he may not quit ; God's 
Holy Spirit reigning in the soul, will enable you to con- 
quer his permitted power : For, as the sun-beam of light 
looks on him, he retires to his hiding place, in the shadow 
of your dust : nor will he ever prevail within you, while 
faithful to your God you stand. But be prepared, seek 
by prayer the grace God freely gives, to them who contrite 
ask : that you may be armed to withstand your enemy, for 
be assured he, when you least expect him, will return 
from his hiding place, assail your tower, and storm every 
bulwark within your body, in his attempt to gain ascen- 
dancy in the soul. Therefore, whenever you find his 
subtle serpent spirit, gliding to your thought resist with 
every boldness : immediate with humble soul look up to 
God and pray. ' Omnipotent One my Strength and my 
Redeemer ! Give I pray Thee to Thy frail creature, a su- 

* James iv. 7. 
Q 



202 



A VINDICATION OF 



perior portion of Thy Holy Spirit power, that I may suc- 
cessfully wield Thy flaming sword of might, and so cut 
the tempter down, who seeks to defile the temple, I would 
preserve as Thy abode : may it in me ever unsheathed be, 
while corruption afflicts to weaken the soul's energy, to 
defend the Form, Thou hast in me created : In mercy, O 
God ! my God ! let me of Thy strength receive to con- 
quer, that Death and Hell may before me flee while my 
soul exalted to Thee looks up, adoring, praising thy Holy 
Name, my Saviour and my God.' — So may thy prayer 
offered, be accepted, by the Lord Jehovah ! By, Him 
who from heaven came down upon the mountain of Sinai 
in the Wilderness, to give the Israelites the Law : when 
his holy whisper was heard to speak in voice of thunder, 
whose music went forth in lightnings draped ; when the 
people a command received not to come near. — The Re- 
deemer who gave the Christian Law upon the Mount is 
waiting to hear and answer prayer. He promulgated the 
Law and gave his glorious Gospel, that you and I, feeling 
our need of saving grace, may be partakers of the bene- 
fits He dying purchased, for those who come to God 
through his path. God's grace and goodness is his glory, 
the glory of the Gospel, is the glory that excelleth, for 
grace and truth came by Jesus Christ : when singing the 
Lord's song, of Zebulun and Issachar, Moses said, ' they 
shall call the people unto the mountain there they shall 
offer sacrifices of righteousness :' # ' Unto the mountain 
Christ called his chosen :'f So unto the mountain He our 
Redeemer, our Rock, and Refuge now calleth us : To Him 
let us go, offering the sacrifice of a broken and a contrite 
heart, that we may partake of his righteousness : If we 
mourn for sin committed, He will send us comfort : 
But remember, Christ saith ! f Repent, for the kingdom 
of heaven is at hand.' — Before our God in man appeared, 

* Deut. xxxiii. 18, 19. f Mark iv. 13. 



THE BOOK OF GENESIS. 203 

shadow prevailed, all was obscure. The Book of the 
Old Testament was a sealed Book containing divine 
treasures, in mystery profound : The People sat in dark- 
ness : until the Author of that Spirit Word walked with 
men: And then, as had been foretold by Esaias the 
Prophet, the People saw great Light: To them which 
sat in the Region of the Shadow of Death, light to them 
in Him sprung up: But, knowing repentance is, first of 
all things, essential to the sinner's Salvation : Humbled, 
and sorrowing for sin committed, may all, even the chief 
of sinners, draw nigh to the throne of mercy, if they desire 
the Kingdom of Heaven to win : For Christ saith, ' Him 
that cometh unto me I will in no wise cast out :' # He who 
is the Light of the World, and the Word Almighty now 
speaks the same gracious Language to us, and to all man- 
kind : — Moses his inspired servant began the Picture, the 
Chosen, aided to fill the Outline of the faithful sketch : 
Yet, to accomplish that glorious Work, it required a 
Master's finishing Hand : When, as pre-ordained, Christ 
our Head! our All in All! brought the Torch that illu- 
mines the way, and conducting men's minds to the over- 
flowing garden, gave them to enjoy of the Fruit which 
therein, had so long, in obscurity lived. It no longer re- 
mained a sealed Book, but was open to all who faithful 
sought to be admitted into its Field of glory. The sacred 
pages breathing love divine, continue, inviting us to benefit 
by the Covenant of Grace, that we may be refreshed in 
the Branching streams flowing from the Tree of Life : So, 
feeling our need of saving Grace, let us, and all, first seek 
the Kingdom of God, through His Beloved Son Jesus 
Christ : and all good will be given to us therein : Let us 
profit by the flowing of the New Covenant: to make our 
Calling and Election sure, that we may be admitted, to 
live and reign with Christ our Head and Eternal Spirit 

* John vi. 37. 



204 A VINDICATION OF 

Tree, our Shepherd* who for us died ! in whom alone we 
find salvation : without whom, tho' we possessed worlds, 
we remain poor and wretched : but possessing Him, en- 
joying his smile, we are rich for Time and to Eternity. 
To live without Christ in the World, abundance of material 
riches, which men leave behind, do but add weight to un- 
felt wretchedness : To know Christ is more and more to 
feel our need of Him : He the Book of Life hath opened 
that mankind may learn and live, that all may run and 
read, that those who seek may find Salvation in the Foun- 
tain from the Messiah flowing, to feed each thirsting soul, 
with the fruit that lives in the Tree of Life ; whose glory 
from the Rock Eternal gushes forth in the springs of Re- 
deeming Grace; to refresh and exalt the souls of those who 
seek to bathe in living Water. — To man the Old Testa- 
ment was given ; with man the New Covenant was made : 
Man was the Object to whom the Law was written : The 
Gospel wherein Life and Immortality reigns, by Christ is 
given, to all Mankind, to Rich and Poor, Learned and 
Unlearned, Simple and Prudent, to the Weak and Wise : 
And being intended for all it adapted is to the understand- 
ing and capacity of every one, who has the common use of 
Reason. We are commanded by Christ to search the 
Scriptures ; for therein is the Word of Eternal Life : When 
we to the Word pay the honour due, Christ's Holy 
Spirit, will meet us there ; and will guide us into all Truth. 
Our souls may because of sin, know disquietude, awhile ; 
but if by Prayer we humbly seek his Presence, streams 
of comfort from Him flow. Our Duty 'tis to ask of God, 
our Father will be sought of us; He is waiting to be 
merciful : He is gracious and bears with our infirmities : 
Pray that you may be led by Grace divine to meet God 
in the Word, and whenever you look on the Bible Page, 
therein a Treasure find : So by the Spirit Author illumined, 
shall you be guided to, a knowledge of the saving truths 

* John x. 



THE BOOK OF GENESIS, 205 

the Book of Books reveals : Yet, watchful ever be, for 
certain it is, if the Spirit of Jehovah does not guide you, 
when that Book is open, Satan will prevail within you ; 
There is not a neutral power, therefore you must be in the 
glory of the Tree of Life, or, in the shadow of the Tree of 
Knowledge of Good and Evil : Your soul must be acted 
in and wrought upon by the influence of God's Holy 
Spirit : else by infernal agency : Your works will manifest 
which of the two it be, even as a tree is known by its 
fruit : If it be your duty to interpret the Word of God and 
you in explaining the same honour that Holy Being ; there 
is evidence of the saving influence of his illuminating 
Spirit having accompanied you, and enabled your faithful 
soul to see Jehovah's glory : But if, because of prevailing 
darkness, divine Truths be rejected or misinterpreted: If 
the glory that lives therein and flows therefrom, be ob- 
jected to: It is Satan's air prevailing, and shews that the 
enemy of God and man is working in you. Humbled 
therefore we entreat you, pray the Almighty Author of 
your being to grant his grace, and guide you to understand 
the Word of Life : Say, ■ Jehovah Omnipotent ! Thou in 
mercy to us, Thy wandering children hast been pleased to 
give the Holy Scriptures by thy Spirit inspired ; that the 
same may be a lamp unto our feet, and a light unto our 
path, to guide us unto Thee ; So grant, we beseech Thee, 
Thy illuminating Spirit grace, that humbled at our own 
unworthiness, we may seek and derive consolation from 
Thy blessed Word ; meeting the truth as it is in Christ 
Jesus, intended for our salvation. Reveal to our mind the 
riches that live therein, to preserve and conduct us to the 
Rock on which we build, our Refuge and our God : Teach 
us to shun the shadowed path that those who err would 
lead us in. Let Thy Spirit, Holy Father, accompany us, 
into the sacred field : while there, let us enjoy the fruit 
divine, thy Tree in holy perfection yields, to comfort and 
guide our souls to Thee : The words of Eternal Life for 



206 A VINDICATION OF 

our benefit, Thou O God, hast given, and not that its trea- 
sures should hidden remain ; but that streams of consola- 
tion may continual from them spring and flow, to refresh 
our thirsting spirit. Grant unto us the spiritual key, 
and aid us to open the holy casket that in Thy sacred 
Presence we may enjoy the glory it contains ! Let the 
Comforter distinguish in us the living Branch issuing 
from the Tree of Life through Jesus' redeeming Foun- 
tain that our thought may be cleansed, our hearts re- 
newed, and our souls exalted, to dwell with Thee, Elohim! 
Three in One!!' — Thus wilt thou, my beloved reader, 
find relief to thy mind however oppressed, even when in 
the society of men thou findest it not : Take thy Bible, 
seek thy God ! He will meet thee ; with spiritual relief, 
in the cordial of redeeming Love : in Him thou wilt find 
thy All in All ! in the sunshine of his smile thy soul will 
know sweet peace : with David you then in spirit may 
say, * Why art thou cast down, O my soul ? and why art 
thou disquieted within me ? hope thou in God : for I shall 
yet praise Him, who is the strength of my countenance, 
and my God !' Then will you be enabled to say, ? When 
my father and my mother forsake me, then the Lord will 
take me up.' # — ' Teach me Thy way, O Lord, and lead me 
in a plain path, because of mine enemies. Deliver me not 
over unto the will of mine enemies : for false witnesses 
are risen up against me, and such as breathe out cruelty. 
In mine adversity they rejoiced: But with Thee is the 
fountain of life: in Thy light shall we see light/ Commit, 
therefore, thy way unto the Lord : trust also in Him ; and 
He shall bring it to pass. Fret not thyself because of 
evil doers, neither be thou envious against the workers of 
iniquity. For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, 
and wither as the green herb. Trust in the Lord, and do 
good ; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt 

* Psal. xxvii. etc. 



THE BOOK OF GENESIS. 207 

be fed.' Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but 
when the Lord Jehovah delivers them out of all ; the trial 
of their faith produces a fruit within that is created by the 
Tree of Life, to yield praise and honour and glory to the 
One great First Cause !" 



A VINDICATION 



THE BOOK OF GENESIS. 



PART VII. 



" If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine whether it he 
of God, or whether I speak of myself." — John vii. 17- 

" For I know that my Redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter 
day upon the earth ; And though after my skin worms destroy this body, 
yet in my flesh shall I see God ; Whom I shall see for myself and mine 
eyes shall behold and not another ; though my reins be consumed within 
me." — Jobxix. 25, 26, 27. 

ARGUMENT. 

TRUTH ! In morning radiance smiling dawns, the holy 
Day of Rest ! . „ . Hail glorious mom ! Blush ye flowers 
in the presence of your Ruler ; even as the water blushed, 
when its instinctive tear-full-eye the Creator's creating glory 
saw, that turned it into wine ! So thou fair emblem orb, 
under the First Cause, continual art, creating to create ; 
varying yet to vary : below thee beauty in seedling off- 
springs are seen, finished by a Master Hand ! the Author of 
Creation is there, draping Terra's garden ; whence primeval 
fragrance pure exhaled grateful Dew ! ere sin called Jeho- 
vah's justice in mercy down, wi' the o'erwhelming deluge; 
to punish fallen man's corruption : sweeping from earth's 
bosom the race, blotted and, deformed by sin : Yet, Holy 
Lord God Almighty ! thy faithful servant Noah, and his ; 

b 2 



210 A VINDICATION OF 

in love to man Thou didst preserve. That the same earth 
should re-peopled be, with him a covenant also thou didst 
make: Thy Bow a witness in glory is, in faithfulness 
continual speaking to each believer's soul, reviving the 
thought that, while time may be, earth shall fruitful yield ; 
and no more by water be destroyed : leaving within us the 
consoling idea that, when time shall to Eternity cede, 
she will be by fire refined .... Noah and his, blest by 
Thee, holy God of Love ! even as Thine elect, to them, 
as unto the first of men, the Command, ' Be fruitful 
and multiply and replenish the earth,' was given : in obe- 
dience to the letter of that command, this earth re-peopled 
is : and Christians in spirit live, obeying the same, in the 
Presence of, and blest with the approving smile, of 
the Restorer of fallen man. The Word hath spoken ! 
Thy Promise cannot fail : The Covenant of Grace with 
Adam made, the Redeemer's Blood doth seal : a Remnant 
must be saved ! even as many as benefit by, the Holy 
Jesus' Life bleeding Fountain ! . . . But— I see. Adverse 
shadow hovering nigh, one with a companion in cloud pre- 
sents. Yet, sustained, armed in Him 1 stand and on this 
Holy-Day Jehovah unsheaths his sword to chase the sha- 
dow of Infidelity, and to show the Word of God effulgent, 
breathing to man Redeeming Love, in Light ! in Life ! in 
Immortality ! ! ! 

Infidelity. " May it be thought God would create 
enjoyments for man ; place him in possession of them, and 
not sanction his taking thereof to gratify his own natural 
feeling, even as desire working in him, might be moved to 
incline ?" 

Truth. "Yes. So is the divine Reason obvious : and 
in heavenly harmony with the Attributes of God ! mani- 
festing the Creator's Love to man, the Being created to 
reflect the image of Deity : Jehovah breathed a spark of 
his Essence into man which perfected the work God had 
in him made, and he shone in Eden a living soul, reflecting 



THE BOOK OF GENESIS. 211 

from his spiritualized garden of dust, the glory given by 
his Maker, fed from and living in, the image of Elohim's 
Parent Source of Life: the image of God was the emanation 
of Deity, that breathed in the soul's illumined throne, feed- 
ing the spiritualized Eden of man with salvation, whose 
Righteousness while irradiating the soul, reflecting through- 
out the tree, draped its foliage in the Robe which preserved 
man immortal ! We have seen that man's form of earth 
was dark, till he received the exalting spirit of his Maker's 
breathing. It then became man to honour the sovereign 
who had so exalted him, and who in him reigned more and 
more to exalt. None but the Creator could know what 
would promote the creature's bliss. Finite mind therefore 

should live obedient to Infinite Wisdom. — Of free will, man 

* 
can do nothing good : In his first estate he required, and 

now requires God's preventing Grace, and holy aid : # this 
aid his soul must seek, to his soul the will must incline : 
self-exaltation does not enter in the Law God gave to 
Adam : By indulging free-will man fell into excess, when 
he forgot his God : his nature then, as we have seen be- 
came clouded, his Maker's image no longer from him in 
splendour shone, he had fallen into darkness ; and saw 
himself undraped." 

Infidelity. " May it be supposed Adam and Eve fell 
on their nuptial day ?" 

Truth. " It does not follow that it should be so, when we 
consider God commanded them to be fruitful and multiply : 
in which command mutual and sexual love is enjoined 
with all its pure o'erflowings ; Had it not been provided 
they might know these delights in purity, God could not 
have ordained it. Let us conceive the Picture, for it strikes 
us : See a male and a female tree, dependent on their Maker 
for all good ; created to procreate ; using the powers given 
to promote their Creator's glory. Herein the creature's 
bliss yields in obedience to the will of God, when acting 

* 2 Cor. iii. 5. 



212 A VINDICATION OF 

obedient to the divine Command. Adam was blest with 
Eve, a fruit from his tree, taken therefrom by God, to be 
with hirn when matured by the Sun of Righteousness. 

" The adorable, the adored Almighty Parent in heavenly 
wisdom working created man's body a garden wherein was 
the spirit of the tree that in chaos ruled, ere earth was 
called to breathe in light : the sun is rilled with power to 
preserve terrain the temporal day of life : within the grain 
of dust, that distinguishes the form of man, we have seen 
this spirit of shadow creeping impotent and dark in itself: 
planted in this garden, again review the heart ; therein see 
the soul's illumined throne rilled by the seedling star, a 
spirit flower, branching blooming in the tree of life : re- 
ceptive of, and fed with, power to preserve and guide 
mankind to the highest enjoyments they can know, and 
thereunto guarding their hallowed delight, in liberty : 
marking in his luminary the line that bounds their free- 
dom : Within these sacred limits, they were to, they 
may, indulge the natural sympathizing feeling of spiritual 
desire in holiness free ; but beyond it is excess in sin that 
lurks in the darkness creeping in material nature emitting 
shadowed passion and death. Adam and his daughter 
knew this when excess in enjoyment led them astray from 
God : The same Picture is continually open to our view : 
There are not among the choicest and most sacred bless- 
ings God ? s bounteous Providence showers on man, that 
may not, that is not, by taking thereof to excess, daily in 
forgetfalness abused, to the deforming of man's nature, by 
the rejection of Holy Spirit influence. But, there is an 
antidote in the Spirit- Star ! by honouring it, praying to be 
guided to use all blessings given to the refreshment of the 
body and the exalting of the soul ; watchful and grateful 
we remember the Giver, whose guardian Sword is then ex- 
tended over us, Satan's air is chased by its light and man 
is in the sacred enjoyment preserved : Yet, let it be remem- 
bered that if, while partaking thereof, we yield to sensual 



THE BOOK OF GENESIS. 213 

intoxication, it transports us into forgetfulness, we forsake 
our guiding-star ; and fall o'erwhelmed in shadow. 

u God gives all his children power, to resist temptation, 
and is ever near to preserve them if to him they, living, look 
for succour : when faithfully sought by them, He is their 
Refuge, Omnipotent to save : God never forsakes his 
faithful servants : see how gloriously this truth is evidenced 
in the case of Job. In that righteous man, see an example 
of patience, presenting an illustrious type of the Messiah ! 
The Book of Job narrates the history of a man who che- 
rished the most exalted Piety, faithfully adhering to his 
God in the midst of the most grievously afflicting calami- 
ties. See him suffering losses, disappointments ; and sore 
affliction, living in deep and bitter anguish, contending 
with mixed torrents, within him flowing tumultuous 
waves spreading fury, that 's wont to overwhelm : 
see, the enemy of God and man in Satan, permitted 
to tempt the Servant of Jehovah ! offering his subtle sug- 
gestions directed to weaken Job's faith in his God : Level- 
ling his poisoned arrows at the bosom of the righteous 
servant if possible to cause him to abandon the hope of 
even temporal relief, and prove unworthy the stream of 
salvation in which his soul delighted to bathe. Then mark 
the effect produced : it weakens not his faith, but causes 
him to hold more firm to the rock on which his hope 
rested ; even to the last, although the serpent, his legion, 
and hell were arrayed against him. Job overcame because 
he honoured the tree of life within him that increased his 
confidence in Jehovah's love, whose emanation preserved 
him in anticipation of the reward of Free Grace to 
which, by long and patient suffering he with holy aid 
had proved himself an heir. In God's mighty working 
with this just man is to be distinguished the Omnipo- 
tence ; and the Omnipresence of Deity ! We see, that 
however powerfully God may permit Satan to tempt his 
servants ; He is ever near to succour and preserve them 



214 A VINDICATION OF 

while faithful they confide in him : the Omnipotence of 
Deity is seen in that He preserved his servant Job who 
trusted in him by limiting Satan's power: when he was 
permitted to tempt the child of heaven, God defeated the 
destroyer's plan guarding his faithful servant and suffered 
the evil one so to tempt, because predetermined by 
Jehovah that Job should be thus grievously afflicted, as 
powerfully tempted, that his example might teach men. 
Manifesting his Love and Power in soul-preserving might, 
God shows that when, in accomplishing that his Provi- 
dence hath designed, He thus, or in any other w r ay, 
condescends to visit man with his refining fire : if 
the spirit continues faithful the Refuge in whom she 
trusts will enable him to defeat Satan, whenever sin 
assaults his constant spirit : Because, he feels the 
voice of the Creator's love in conquering strength, 
whispering to the soul, ' As the day is so shall thy 
strength be,' look up and live in me ; I will support and 
succour thee : thus behold the accepted servant of the 
Most High. 

And let his example teach us, to acknowledge the Hand 
that wounds to heal, then humbled, acquiescing let us say 
4 the Lord gave and the Lord taketh away, blessed be the 
name of the Lord.' Breathing the Prayer of Heaven ' Lord, 
not my will, but thine be done.' Then, as Job overcame 

Satan and death, so shall we overcome The evil one could 

not force Job to relinquish the golden chain that linked him 
to Jehovah's Love ! whence he drank strength to resist the 
power of shadow, and to repel his deadly secret envenomed 
thrusts: When assailed by his o'erwhelming clouds of sin, 
in humble reliance on Him in whom he trusted, Job said, 

" ' For I know that my Redeemer liveth, and that He 
shall stand at the latter day upon the earth : and though 
after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh 
shall I see God : whom I shall see for myself, and mine 



THE BOOK OF GENESIS. 215 

eyes shall behold and not another, though my reins be 
consumed within me.'* 

" Christian reader, think ! and know it was man, under 
deep and sore affliction who, thus in heavenly sorrow 
sighed : then let us, while exquisite feelings mingle in the 
mind, ask, { What is man that God should magnify him, 
or that the Almighty should set his heart upon him?' 
' What is man that Thou O God art mindful of him ? And 
the son of man, that thou visitest him? 'f . . . We have seen 
that God created man in his own image ! ' That the Lord 
God formed man of the dust of the ground and breathed 
into his nostrils the Breath of lives, and man became a 
living soul. Thus are we led to see: . . . It was a living soul 
who spoke when Job said, ' I know that my Redeemer 
liveth !' not a soul dead in trespasses and sin, but a living 
soul, fed by the Tree of Life ! whose mental eye by holy 
inspiration was guided to look into futurity, and to behold 
what would, in time appear : Job was thus enabled to feel 
and express the consoling words above sixteen hundred 
years before the Redeemer's Birth, at Bethlehem." 

Infidelity. " Who inspired Job to speak the w r ords?" 
Truth. " The Lord Jehovah, who is from everlasting to 
everlasting ! Deity in Elohim the Creator of all things ! — 
The Redeemer of whom Job spoke is Christ Jesus Lord ! 
the sinner's only Refuge : He is Salvation, who, when o'er- 
whelming storms arise, preserves the Christian's bark, and 
by his soul-attracting star draws her safely to the haven of 
peaceful Rest : and these are some of the benefits flowing 
to man from Immanuel's redeeming Fountain, By Faith 
Job was borne into Futurity, to view the atoning Sacrifice : 
his mental eye looked far beyond the hour when the spirit 
might be called to quit her earthly abode : he saw the 
Saviour victorious o'er death and hell, transferring the fruits 
of victory to those for whom He died : these heavenly 

* Job xix. 25, 26, 27. f Psal. viii. 4. Heb. ii. 6. 



216 A VINDICATION OF 

prospects beaming around him, and blooming within him, 
enabled the righteous man to bear affliction : the fear of 
death and all its sufferings were chased from thought, or 
extinguished by glory from above : confidence, speaking 
his Redeemer lived, filled his soul with the Glory of Hope : 
his spirit-sun shed influence within the afflicted Eden, con- 
ducting him to enjoy the streams of redeeming Love, 
already flowing to man in the Fountain of the Lamb slain 
from the foundation of the world, Job knew the God he 
feared, was All in All ! the Omnipotent, I AM ! from 
whom all good emanates to whom all good returns, as into 
the Ocean of Holiness, wherein it first breathed ! he felt 
that in God, he lived and moved and had his being; and 
that without God nothing could be : he knew that his 
panting soul derived her strength from the Tree of Life, of 
whom he was a branch ; fed by th' eternal Three in One ! 
in whose Presence only, the holy Olive flourished — Hea- 
venly wisdom taught the child of God that Jehovah's 
glory fills Infinity ! and effulgent shines in earth, feeding 
the receptive vessel of each creature in creation living, with 
the bliss or happiness Almighty unerring Providence, in 
Deity's overflowing Bounty, may deign to fill them with, 
as they, in their potential being are in the proper degree 
constituted to live passive free-agents, recipients of the 
good which flows from God I 

" In the local limit wherein earth lives, we have con- 
templated an empty void ; # in darkness dwelling, until the 
creating Word bid substance be where shadow reigned ; 
and then, viewed the same Power giving to each according 
to the nature of the creatures with which her vacuum was 
furnished, in the varying degree, and measure, they as 
sensitive creatures required to promote the happiness, or 
state of their being. 

" We have considered man, distinguished ; in his dis- 
tinct, and also in his composed nature ! illumined by, the 

* Gen. i. 2. 



THE BOOK OF GENESIS. 217 

Breathing of the Tree of Life working in the soul, enabling 
him to reach out his spiritual hand in union with the 
Fountain of Good, by whom his bliss is fed : enjoying and 
honouring the same, man lives in Christ and Christ 
dwelleth in him ; Faith stronger and stronger grows ; 
mental capacity continues to enlarge, the soul's receptivity 
may, expanding swell to overflowing full spirit glory 
breathing, exalting the Christian to commune with the 
Creator ! 

" Faith brought futurity to Job's presence, giving a pre- 
existence to itself of that which Almighty God ordained 
should appear, ages before it presented. 

" Being thus distinguished, the greatest good man can 
possess, is to know and enjoy that which is commensurate 
to the filling his soul's capacity. When the mind enter- 
tains the stream of glory branching from the Tree of Life, 
nothing will fill the spirit's desire, but the good flowing 
therefrom : and more delighted will she be the nearer she 
approaches the full manifestation of the glory and good- 
ness, whose centre is ; the eternal Fountain Jehovah ! 
nothing but the divine Presence can fill the growing capa- 
city of an exalted immortal mind ! . . . The mental field 
wherein Reason presides uniting intellect to the soaring 
spirit, is the receptive garden planted in man and con- 
tinual fed by the yielding of the tree on whose fruit the 
thoughts and desires dwell : when God sees we breathe 
after life with Him, in his own good time He giveth us 
that our soul desireth, and according to her capacity, she 
drinks in Holy Spirit essence, which fills her faculties 
and constitutes her only blessedness : enjoying this, 
Jehovah's smile around her beaming, she more fervent 
seeks, more calmly moving to, and in, the good that 
is congenial to her exalting power : inclining to Him 
whose word chased shadow; his lamp breathes fulness 
in Eden's garden, filling the soul's receptivity, and re- 
freshing the body with regenerating seed that yields im- 



218 A VINDICATION OF 

mortal fruit. — But, to experience this delight the spirit 
eye must opened be, to perceive and enter the glorious 
field, illumined by Jesus' Fountain ! even as Job's was : 
the garden of the soul must be watered by rivers of 
grace issuing, branching from the holy Tree, ere man 
can know the Redeemer of whom God's faithful servant 
spoke : Almighty quickening Love must teach mankind 
to know Him who came down from heaven, the Prince of 
Peace, bringing life and immortality to light ! that by seek- 
ing, regeneration, sinners might be re-born to God ! and 
the image Satan had offended, restored to primeval 
purity. A knowledge of the Redeemer invites us to 
drink, from his eternal stream the waters of salvation, 
which give power to resist the evil spirit, when he tempts 
to corrupt the body or to lead the thoughts astray. If 
men prove constant towards God, his grace will guide 
them to a blessed union with Himself, desire within them 
will increase to know him more as He is : and, jour- 
neying on through the walk of time, continually drink- 
ing from his regenerating fountain of Life, our nature 
growing spiritualized, by his Holy Spirit working, Je- 
hovah prepares us; to enjoy his perfections, to know 
Him as we are known of Him ; to love Him with 
our fullest love, holy affections yielding; and, when 
time on earth shall be no more, to embrace him as our 
All in All ! Job knew, and we know, that the Redeemer 
of whom he spoke liveth to increase our joy. He who 
gave himself to die for us, is making intercession for all 
who seek salvation through him, Christ, of his Almighty 
Father, has received the full blessings of His glory, to 
communicate in the same unto men, to feed the capacity 
of each thirsting spirit, that they may be prepared to meet 
him in the more glorious state to which they will be 
called, when the feeble body shall drop into its dust! 
when the soul, if ripe for glory, shall ascend to heaven her 
home! ... An irradiating glimpse of the happiness 



THE BOOK OF GENESIS. 219 

awaiting the blessed, we are permitted to view, for it is 
both described and revealed to us ; the Assurance whereof 
first is sealed by the Word Jehovah, and then by Christ's 
Resurrection ! . . . When the Lord reproved Adam for 
sin, He said, ' Dust thou art and unto dust shalt thou re- 
turn.'* — Solomon saith, ' The body returns to his earth ; 
and the spirit shall return to God who gave it.'f — The 
Psalmist sings, f My glory rejoiceth : my flesh also shall 
rest in hope.' ' For Thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, 
neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. 'J 
David's soul was not left in hell ; neither did the Messiah 
see corruption ! 

" Job's flesh though sorely afflicted cherished the hope, 
also the assurance, of a blessed resurrection to life and 
bliss, in the Bosom of Almighty Love ! from whom flowed 
the stream that said, ' Though after my skin worms de- 
stroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God.' .... 
Abraham purchased Hebron's field for a burying place : 
Jacob said, i Bury me with my fathers :' l Joseph secured 
the removing of his bones, knowing there lay in them a 
pledge of a blessed resurrection :' Isaiah saith, ' Destroy 
them not, for there is a blessing in them : ' Jehovah 
guarded the dust of Moses! Satanic spirit is not per- 
mitted to offend it : In that dust' there is a secret seed 
which, however it may be dispersed by the winds or waves, 
will re-assemble when the Trumpet to victory shall sound 
ARISE ! then will it re-unite in a glorious resurrection, 
even as his, if prepared as Job's was." 

Infidelity. " What is implied in the words, i Yet in 
my flesh shall I see God?"' 

Truth. " The afflicted Job, as a faithful servant of the 
Most High, had, in a mental Picture been led to con- 
template Him, who in futurity would appear : he knew a 
Redeemer would ransom sinners, that by dying Christ 
would redeem his own : his faith established in the Rock ! 
* Gen. iii. 19. f Eccl. xii. 7. % Psal. xvi. 9, 10. 



220 A VINDICATION OF 

looking into futurity, he saw happiness awaiting on 
Eternity's side o' the tomb ! and though his dust passive 
through the silent vale would be food for worms, that yet 
in his flesh he should see God ; these thoughts sustained 
Job in his integrity : he knew they were inspired by God ; 
and that his soul's best feeling sympathized with the 
Spirit of his Creator ! Breathings from the Tree of Life 
continuing to increase his flow of faith, he patiently re- 
signed all to the divine Will, knowing that, although his 
body would return to the dust, the Lord had pre-deter- 
mined to take account of that dust, the same being precious 
in his sight : thus behold Job's afflicted Eden, the Paradise 
of his God ! He, a chosen vessel ; knew the Omnipotent 
would raise him up in glory ; when all inferior shall have 
passed away : and time into eternity fallen : when he 
should live nearer to, and in purified body hold spiritual 
Communion with the Tree of Life ! Cherishing these 
thoughts, holy desire breathing, within him see wrought a 
temper of mind suited to the varying changes he experi- 
enced and anticipated, he overcame by reason of the 
hope that was in him, with meekness and fear, # being 
sustained and fed by the Rock of Ages ! While on 
earth, Job's spirit would have shone forth much resem- 
blance of the divine image ; living draped in her light ; 
regenerated in the essence of Redeeming Love ! Satan 
had power permitted him to work in the fleshly nature of 
Job, and so to afflict his constant soul : but the serpent in 
the flesh warring with the spirit in vain used every wile 
and subtlety to draw him from his Refuge. The history of 
this good man's constancy is recorded, to show us the 
Christian conquering Satan : and so may men, even now, 
prove vitorious over him, by arming themselves with the 
same strength given us in light to wield the flaming sword 
Job wielded, when compelling sinful suggestions to retire : 
he sought Refuge and was strengthened by Jehovah's 

* 1 Pet. iii. 15. 



THE BOOK OF GENESIS. 221 

arm : and this Omnipotent arm is not shortened : the 
mighty shield is yet extended to guard us; when we faith- 
ful prove in the Redeemer's cause ! And, shall we not 
fight for Him, w T ho bled and died that we may live ? Oh 
yes ! and suffer even as Job did, if it be his divine will, 
crucifying the flesh with the affections and lusts thereof 
to win Christ ! . . . Christ in God preserved his own, 
even when in a body of afflicted clay; none on earth to 
let fall one drop of comfort into his bitter cup of grief: 
none but the invisible irradiating smile to guard his con- 
stant spirit in her path : no visible physician near, to pre- 
scribe for the wound Satan was suffered to inflict, until 
his faithful soul ; had conquered ! But Almighty love in 
water of Life, refreshed and rendered his tree strong : the 
furnace of affliction, by Satan heated, tended more and 
more to refine the gem the Creator was regenerating for him- 
self ! Thus overcoming to overcome, the child of Elohim ! 
was fashioned more and more in the image of God ! dead 
to the world, living to the Author of his being ; he knew 
that when his spirit should be invited to leave her dust, 
then would the birth-day of the soul appear, and that she, 
a seedling essence by the sun of immortality matured, 
would in the bosom of th' eternal tree of Life, be ripe to 
drop into her Rest ! there to remain till the consummation 
of more exalted bliss, in the resurrection among the con- 
querors who, having come out of great tribulation, were 
clothed in Robes washed and made white in the Blood of 
the Lamb ! sanctified by Christ the sinner's Refuge ! Job 
drank consolation from the purifying streams which taught 
him the soul if redeemed by Grace, would, on leaving the 
terrestrial garden, be translated to breathe in glory free ; 
where the righteous rest from their labours, and their 
works do follow them, even as we are taught in the 
parable that speaks of departed souls, Lazarus' spirit 
was carried into Abraham's Bosom, i. e. the fruit ripe 
for glory was taken to live in the Sun by whom it was 



222 A VINDICATION OF 

matured ! Also the sinner crucified by the Saviour's side 
met his Saviour's pardoning smile and was that day united 
to Him in Paradise, embracing there Jesus his Judge, in 
the Lord of Life ! to be in his glory crowned ! Let us then 
as Job did, rejoice to know that the Redeemed soul, 
on leaving earth, is gathered to the Bosom of her Refuge ! 
so the morning dew in pearl-drop-spirit ascends, smiling 
grateful tear, to meet the sun-beam feeding shower ! — 
Our soul while living in earth, may continue to grow 
larger and more exalted ; altho' she cannot attain the 
capacity or measure of happiness in the overflowing fulness 
and perfection of fruition which is prepared for her ; until 
she meets the Author of her being : because, • Our life is 
hid with Christ in God !' but when Christ who is our life 
shall appear then shall we appear with him in glory. # 
Being sons of God, if among his redeemed, we shall be 
like unto him, ' We shall see him as He is ! • Then will 
the field of day, in which we have delighted moved, ex- 
pand around us ; and the exalted soul be receptive of a 
perfect measure of the divine Essence whose Fulness flow- 
ing in the Tree of Life will bless ; and with his more efful- 
gent glory crown : the spiritual Eden then shall with 
beauty bloom again, in the Paradise of Jehovah ! whose 
star effulgent in her will reign breathing peaceful calm, re- 
freshing to refresh th' exalted child of God, re-united in the 
Parent whose spirit streams continual flow irradiating to 
irradiate in Jesus' Grace, by whom his are saved ! 

" Balaam acknowledged truth with much feeling ; 
speaking of the star of Jacob he says, ' I shall see him 
but not now : I shall behold him, but not nigh ; there 
shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Sceptre shall rise out 
of Israel, and shall smite the corners of Moab, and destroy 
all the children of Seth/f The patient Job seems to have 
been cotemporary with him ; of the children of Abraham ; 
yet not of the Twelve Tribes .... { Though after my 

* Col. iii. 3, 4. f Num. xxiv. 17. 



THE BOOK OF GENESIS. 223 

skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see 
God.' Isaiah saith, < Thy dead men shall live ; together 
with my dead body shall they arise. Awake and sing ye 
that dwell in the dust : for thy dew is as the dew of herbs; 
and the earth shall cast out the dead.' # 

"The dew of herbs at morn ascends to smile in the Sun's 
embrace, but forsakes not the garden wherein wont to ex- 
hale its sweets : sympathy in the parent plant bears it on 
the way to meet its feeding source ascending in the ethereal 
cord that's fed by the attracting instinct spirit beam, and 
re- conducts the vegetable fluid essence refined to the bosom 
of the garden, where it first met the Power who creates, to 
preserve the being in life. — Think then — that when this form 
of dust shall drop into the tomb, therein will live an innate 
secret spirit; that never, never dies ! and which when scat- 
tered in earth's bosom, will breathe a sympathizing emotion, 
acknowledged by Divinity! until many of them that sleep 
in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, 
and some to shame and everlasting contempt. 

" Thus did Faith in Christ, under the conduct of the 
Spirit guiding star, illumine Job to look into Futurity, intro- 
ducing him to commune with his Creator ! whose redeem- 
ing grace filled his receptive Eden with regenerating seed ! 
fruit the holy-olive bears in the Paradise of Jehovah, fill- 
ing the soul's receptivity to overflowing, in breathing- 
glories of immortality ! May the same Spirit working in- 
fluence you to bring into action the means within your 
reach to promote the soul's salvation." 

Infidelity. "Did the Messiah's sufferings afflict his 
Spirit?" 

Truth. " Not Positively : How the Saviour's relative 
sympathy became affected in his suffering for sinners in 
some degree manifests, when we reflect that the soul of 
man is a recipient of Deity's Spirit, and thus distinguished 
a participator of the divine nature, nurturing within an 

* Isaiah xxvi. 19. 

S 



224 A VINDICATION OF 

offspring of divine Love : an emanation from Jehovah's 
Fountain : He whom we honour as our Creator had pro- 
vided for man's preservation : but it became man, to profit 
by the means ordained for his salvation, and so live obedient 
to the Law of God, continually drinking the Love eternal 
that flows from its source, the Tree of Life ! . . . We have 
distinguished the field of spiritual Liberty ; and seen man 
placed therein to live while obedient to his Maker's Law : 
to die if he disobeyed. We have regarded him in a state 
of freedom, inasmuch, as coercion forcing to an observance 
of the duties enjoined in God's Law, would annul Free- 
Agency : Being thus free, a spark of Deity's Essence dis- 
tinguished man a living soul, this divine star of glory con- 
tinually breathes to us from God in whom we live and 
move and have our being; therein Jehovah communicates 
with the spirit of man : in this golden chain a beam of 
glory ever full flows and reflows from the Creator to man, 
from man to his Creator ! — Hear then what the Messiah 
breathes when suffering for sinners : 

" * Now is my soul troubled ; and what shall I say ? 
Father, save me from this hour : but for this cause came I ' 
unto this hour. . . . Father, glorify thy name/ etc. 

" The spirit that distinguishes man a living soul ema- 
nating pure from Jehovah's holy Fountain-Essence, being 
an offspring of Divinity, it follows that the Parent Tree of 
Life should feel the affection Love creates for the seedling 
from his Bosom issuing, that is in his bosom fed ! as a 
Branch of the Vine ever blooming, spiritualizing to spiri- 
tualize the children whom God created heirs of immor- 
tality. . . . Here, remember, that in their exalted state 
the finite angels of the celestial creation drank in, and 
now inhale glory from their and our Creator ! continual 
grateful tribute yielding to the Author of their Being ! 
Their spirit garden receiving from, returns unto the Parent 
fount of Love, the measure of bliss and knowledge full, 
commensurate to their well-being, fulfilling the duties each 



THE BOOK OF GENESIS. 225 

may observe in the exalted office they, as celestial glories, or 
ministering spirits, may by Jehovah be placed to fill. . . . 
Man created in the image of God, an heir of heaven, be- 
cause a son of heaven's King, in him a Radiance of his 
Parent's spirit breathed, to wing in and guide the soul il- 
lumined while she fed on the good that flowed from her 
Tree of Life ! Having given his Spirit to man his child ; 
the Fount of Love I AM providing for the soul's 
salvation, gave to him in whom the spirit of his glory 
shone the directing power and guiding star to lead 
him in the path where lived the parent's smile ! It 
was infinite Love that caused Jehovah to create man 
a recipient of his Spirit glory, as an offspring of Al- 
mighty Love, from whom generations of seedling shoots 
were to issue: In man as created see body and soul 
united in innocence, as the spirit of the soul view the 
image of God ! and behold the relative union, see the 
stream of life from the immortal Tree watering the soul of 
man in love divine, binding our heavenly Father to us of- 
fending children : it was the sympathy living in the bosom 
of his Fountain that moved our Creator and our God, to 
feel for Adam and for us, when he, and we, sinning from 
his Presence felL Our natural Parent tree in and from 
Adam, offended the Almighty. We also offend Him! they 
rejected, we reject the Herald of salvation when we forget 
our Maker or transgress his Parental Law. 'Tis then we 
grieve our heavenly Father's Spirit in the effect produced 
by our perverseness; but the grief is divine in the voluntary 
emanating, pitying, sympathizing love, breathing in the 
Essence of Jehovah our Father in heaven : when man, re- 
gardless of the saving voice, wanders from his light 

No, it was not, it is not in the power of man or Satan, to 
afflict the Lord, though sinners and hell rebellious prove, 
impotent their efforts are ; in vain they rage when fury 
boils to wound the Holy Omnipotent ! Who, quick as his 
lightning's flash could annihilate, and in oblivion bury the 

s2 



226 A VINDICATION OF 

presumptuous offenders. How does it endear our Maker 
to the soul when we are permitted to think that the spiri- 
tual Physician who while He in mercy afflicts to bring us 
to himself sympathizes with our sufferings. Such love 
none but God in its fulness can know ! From him it 
voluntarily emanates to reflow into its Original Source ! 
The Author of Being ! feeds his offsprings' stars with 
glory from his perennial Fountain. The Parent mother 
quickening, his spark divine then breathes, and this illu- 
mines a spirit-ray shining from Deity's spiritualizing sun 
to the throne of every soul continually feeding in the cord 
of Life, that binds us to our Father God ! whose source of 
Love's voluntary emotion affected is, in the nature of the 
Love wherewith He loveth us ! . . . Jehovah's Spirit 
Breath breathing to every infant when quickened in the 
womb this spark divine passes from God through the 
Parent to the offspring in succeeding generations : . . . . 
Pious Parents grieve when the child rebels against them 
and God ; they sorrow knowing that transgression incurs 
the divine frown : it is the luminary in their soul speaks 
thus to them : in that luminary is the voice of God ! and 
God is true ! So infinite and Parental is the Creator's 
love for those created to resemble his glory, that our fore- 
fathers could not neither can we commit sin without 
moving the voluntary divine compassion abounding in 
his nature ! Sometimes his Pity springs forth when the 
weakness of our nature entices us to yield under Satan's 
shadow to sin; likewise when presuming on the forbearance 
of his permissive Providence men continuing in sin tacitly 
by their conduct say, ' Tush, God taketh not account 
of it : or, when lost to all superior as well as to them- 
selves, sinners deliberately yield to the tyranny of Satan's 
agents, who guide them blinded to perdition ; wherein 
they maddened rush, as into the gulf that opens to swallow 
them up ; even until God's Spirit Holy ceaseth to strive 
with man. And they sink cast out, as Korah, Dathan, 



THE BOOK OF GENESIS. 227 

and Abiram did. But, there is not another who could 
inflict a pang in Omnipotent Essence ! As regards his 
Deity, 'tis the holy affection that generates in, lives and 
flows from his sympathy and love that breathes to man in 
sorrow divine : When we fall away He pities us ! He 
hears us when we pray ! And why ? Because He remem- 
bereth we are dust, and that in earth Satan hath permitted 
power : God speaks within us inviting in Salvation's way ; 
inspires thoughts to exalt our desires, brings us to love 
His Word and to know the Redeemer who is waiting to 
be our Saviour ! We love God who invites us to pray to 
Him, because He is ever waiting and well pleased to an- 
swer the contrite sinner's prayer ! The nature of our hea- 
venly Father, in calm divine, has pleasure, when man 
puts forth his hand to take of the Tree of Life, that he 
may live for ever : He in whose Fountain Love originates 
is not insensible to that which may afflict his children : 
He pities when we offend Him and afflict our own souls : 
then his monitor of Love in the still small voice within us 
whispers, ' Why will ye die, O ye children of men ?' His 
Love reproved Adam when fallen from primeval bliss : it 
also expressed displeasure when Cain slew his brother : 
God's love to man preserved Noah and his ! when 
grieved to the heart He the Omniscient knew 'twas well 
to bid the Deluge destroy : Also when the rebellious for- 
sook his way, and He unto them said, * How long refuse 
ye to keep my Commandments and my Law ?' Then 
Jesus came to crown our hope in life that opened immortality* 
to man: He came to bear the sin of his redeemed ; and 
suffering, to leave an example for mankind to follow : See 
the saving divine Field where, exceedingly sorrowful and 
very heavy, the Redeemer said, ' My soul is exceedingly 
sorrowful even unto death,' see the v God-Man more ear- 
nestly praying while from Him sweat as drops of blood 
are falling down to the ground to be left in the sin-stained 
earth : Hear Love divine in music's thrill say, * Daughters 



228 A VINDICATION OF 

of Jerusalem, weep not for me,' etc. Listen to the creat- 
ing voice breathing in the pitying Love of Deity, saying, 
i Father forgive them : for they know not what they do.' 
Hear the Redeemer our Lord and Saviour when, pierced 
by sin, He at the ninth hour breathed in agony to his 
Father's Source Omnipotent, saying, l Eloi, Eloi, Lama 
Sabacthani?' # My God, my God, why hast thou for- 
saken me ? Then see the parting throes when Deity said, 
' It is finished : bowed his head and gave up the ghost :'+ 
and think that God took these sufferings upon Him be- 
cause He loved man; rejoice therefore in the consolation 
heaven born reflection brings, for 'tis like the voice divine 
that whispering fans the evening breeze and bids the waves 
be still ! 

" Pursuing holy meditation Job adds, ? whom I shall 
see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not 
another ; though my reins be consumed within me.'J . . . 
This language teaches us that Job knew there is no transfer- 
ring of vice or virtue ; nor bartering the deserts of an im- 
mortal soul : but as the tree fell so must it lie ; whether the 
pages in the Book of Conscience are shadowed by sin, or 
shining in life breathing prayer, so must it appear either 
in light or shadow, presenting our title clouded, or clear, 
according to the deeds done in the body. In his affliction 
Job found consolation in the consciousness that he had 
fought the fight and won the title to, a mansion in the 
heavens : though suffering that the evil spirit was per- 
mitted to inflict, faith in his redemption gave him strength 
to conquer ; and told him he should live in the Presence 
of his Redeemer ! whose love supported him, while Satan, 
with the legion of darkness afflicted the body to pierce 
the soul ; wounding her with the darts of hell. All these 
the righteous Job resisted knowing that when the trum- 
pet shall sound and the dead arise for eternity, his dust 
redeemed in glory would ; meet the Bosom of his God ! 

* Mark xv. 34. t John xix. 30. % Job xix. 27. 



THE BOOK OF GENESIS. 229 

.... See him contemplate the Almighty in whom 
embosomed was, and is, the Mediator! through whom 
from the Father should flow (after Christ had sealed man's 
Redemption) the Holy Ghost the Comforter ! Guided to 
see that which was to be, even then, he enjoyed the Pre- 
sence of Him who was the First-Fruits of them that slept: 
and to know Him as ascending on high, leading captivity 
captive ; receiving gifts for men : and that having paid the 
Price of his Elect; Christ had abolished death, the wages 
of that debt. # He knew it was not possible, Christ could 
be holden of death. f Herein we distinguish the victory 
God hath given us over death by Christ. Full of glory is 
the thought that the Branches of the Holy Vine, i. e., the 
members of Christ's Church, will arise by virtue of their 
union with the Tree of Life, in the sweet secret sympathy 
that breathes in the seedling-star-immortality ! crowning 
the links of the golden chain uniting God and man, in 
Love divine ! attracting the inclining spirit to Him ; in 
whom her life is hid. J 

" Think, Christian Reader, and also ye to whom that 
name may not apply, for glorious though solemn is the 
thought, a Resurrection there will be of the just and of 
the unjust : when the bodies of both must spiritualized 
appear: To the Redeemed an exceeding, and eternal 
weight of glory will be given ! — Those who know not God 
will appear in a spiritualized body that the same may 
be exquisitely sensible of, the torment frowning from the 
wrath of God ; to be endured in a fire that never goeth 

out ; in burnings that cannot consume Flesh and 

blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God ! . . . . Neither 
can flesh and blood as at present constituted be in the 
gulph of woe prepared for those who may be shut out 
from the glory of Jehovah's smile : then will the incorrup- 
tion and the immortality of the wicked add shadow to 
their misery : everlasting they will be, to be eternally 
* 1 Tim. i. 10. f Acts ii. 24. J John vi.57. 



230 A VINDICATION OF 

wretched, as monuments of the righteous Judgment of the 
just Judge of Heaven ! 

" But ye, who are Christ's, rejoice ; your Consolation 
liveth, even that of Job ; the same Redeemer saith, * He 
that cometh to me I will in nowise cast out. He that 
eateth me, even he shall live by me/ i. e. he that eateth 
of the Tree of Life shall live for ever. I am the Resurrec- 
tion and the Life : he that believeth in me though he 
were dead yet shall he live.* And tho' the bodies of the 
wicked be indued with incorruption, to know the torments 
of the worm that dieth not, and to exist in fire that is not 
to be quenched .f Tho' the Beast and the False Prophet 
shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.J 
Glory will crown God's elect, fitting them to meet, and in 
fulness enjoy the blessedness known in the Lord Jehovah; 
with Christ to reign for ever and ever.§ The inheritance 
of the blessed is incorruptible and that fadeth not.|| Be- 
ing born of an incorruptible seed, they are offsprings, 
issuing from and, fed by as, living in the Tree of Life, 
whose root is Christ Jesus ; and because that Root 
liveth we shall live also.^f Thus may our body be re- 
newed to a spiritualized Eden ; a house not made with 
hands, eternal in the heavens : wherein mortality shall be 
swallowed up of life,** even as time shall into eternity 
drop. Job knew that from Adam he derived corruption, 
and that his body would be sown in dishonour, but raised 
in glory ! that Jesus would change it loathsome as it 
might be, to fashion it like unto his own glorious body ; 
according to the working whereby He is able to subdue 
all things unto himself. ff If we appear among the Elect, 
by virtue of the cord of Love that unites us to Christ our 
exalted Head taking freely from the Tree of Life by in- 
tuition of his glory, we changed shall be from glory to 

* John xi. 25. f Mark ix. 44. % Rev. xx. 10. 

§ Rev. xxii. 5. || 1 Pet. i. 2, 3, 4. f John xiv. 19 ; xv. 6. 

** 2 Cor. v. 1. 4. 15. ff Phil. iii. 21. 



THE BOOK OF GENESIS. '231 

glory , # even to the glory that excelleth ! So in the resur- 
rection will the bodies of the saints that be wise, shine as 
the firmament ; and they that turn many to Righteousness 
as the stars for ever and ever. 

" The Redeemer when transfigured shone as the sun, 
and his raiment white as the light, of which he is the 
Fountain Source, so in the resurrection may his children 
and brethren, shine as the stars, one star exceeding another 
star in glory, and according to the capacity of the soul 
in the measure of grace her garden may embrace, so will 
the degrees of glory be known : Then, each redeemed soul, 
having a fulness to overflowing, shall not know envy, but 
gladly rejoicing in her own will delight in another's bles- 
sedness : Surely with these heaven yielding prospects in 
view, all who desire to live will seek to know more and 
more of a Saviour's Love ; and with holy reverence adore 
Him who in his own glorified Body will come in the 
clouds, as the Sun of the soul ! The Lord of All ! reflect- 
ing effulgence, outshining all besides to feed our spirit- 
star, draping the Redeemed in the glory blushing from his 
Raiment : thus may we be raised up when, his holy 
angels He shall send to gather his elect : when the dust 
shall be changed into the likeness of his glorious body ; 
and at his appearance our life will appear in him : This 
holy Resurrection the just may view as the Fruit of 
the Resurrection of our blessed Redeemer Lord and 
Saviour! — Then will death and hell deliver up the 
dead, so, in that awful solemn day, the wicked will 
be unto Judgment called, though the fruit of guilt within 
them may say, O ye rocks, in mountains fall on us, 
bury us from the Almighty Judge th' Omnipotent Jehovah ! 
for his angels then will go forth, with solemn note, the 
Trumpet sounding, from the four winds, to gather the 
Elect :f At that sound, incorruptible the dead will be 
raised : and we shall be changed :$ For the Lord himself 

* 2 Cor. iii. 18. f Matt. xxiv. 31. % 1 Cor. xv. 52. 



232 A VINDICATION OF 

shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of 
an Arch-angel, with the trump of God: and the dead in 
Christ shall rise first, # (in the first resurrection). We 
shall not all die, but we shall be changed, i.e., the living 
who may be on earth at Christ's coming will be trans- 
figured in his Presence, Matter's impurity, glory will chase 
and fill our redeemed garden with a spiritualized nature 
that shall glow in celestial breathing, emanating from the 
Tree of Life ; to feed the heirs of bliss : thus we are led to 
contemplate a celestialized body free from corruption ; no 
longer tinged with blood of sin, free from that shadow- 
ing cloud ; renewed in Essence holy wherein is the rai- 
ment of Christ's redeemed in the Robe that crowns with 
Bliss. May you, and I, be his ; and, if gone before, shine 
w T ith Him in glory : Then will the Lord appear adored 
by all those who believe : the angel voice will then be 
heard: the graves yield up their dead : the saints whom 
the world even to death rejected will then arise in that 
beauty, grace, and immortality, the Breathings of Elohim 
yields, in the Love with which the Saviour fills the faith- 
ful servants he has chosen, to be partakers with Him 
in his Kingdom, life to enjoy for ever and ever : Robed 
with his Grace wherein the image divine is seen, we may 
see our Maker face to face and drink in of the holy splen - 
dour flowing in angels and saints redeemed. Thus may 
we contemplate the day when the righteous will be, by 
sympathizing spirit emotion, caught up in the clouds, to 
meet Christ Jesus in the Air, to feed at their heavenly 
Father's Table ! Hunger they will know no more ; 
no longer will they thirst : Sickness and pain the 
fruit of sin will cease to be, for sin will be no more ; And 
there shall be no more curse : but the throne of God and 
of the Lamb shall be in it, and his servants shall serve 
hinu 

" Hasten beloved Reader while 'tis day to make your 

* 2 Thess. iv. 16. 



THE BOOK OF GENESIS. 233 

peace with God, that you may have part in the first resur- 
rection, in the solemn hour when the dust shall awake at 
the bidding of Jehovah ! when Christ Jesus shall be re- 
vealed from heaven with his angels in flaming fire, # when 
the Lord will judge the world by the Man whom he hath 
ordained the Man-Christ-Jesus !f Then ONE like the 
Son of Man shall come with the clouds of heaven unto 
the Ancient of days, and there shall be given Him domi- 
nion, and glory and a Kingdom, J which shall not pass 
away, and his kingdom that shall not be destroyed. 

" Turn now unto the Tree of Life, return unto your Savi- 
our ye who are procrastinating sinners, for the day of the 
Lord will come as a thief in the night, and if you are found 
in darkness your portion will be with the wicked, eternally 
shut out from God : seek him therefore while ye may : 
Pray Him to feed your lamp of life with the oil of redeem- 
ing grace and illumine therein his torch, drawing your soul 
to seek salvation : so may you be prepared to meet the 
glory that awaits the righteous, when the heavens shall 
pass away with a great noise, when the elements shall 
melt with fervent heat, when the earth also and the things 
that are therein shall be burned up.§ When the Re- 
deemer shall in the Throne of his Glory be seated, || and 
the King shall say ' Ye Blessed of my Father come inherit 
the Kingdom prepared for you from the Foundation of the 
world/fl" .... Thus, in all we see, our hope, our conso- 
lation, our Refuge lives, in that Christ is risen from the 
dead, and become the first-fruits of them that sleep : as well 
as in that God hath appointed a day wherein He will 
judge the world in Righteousness, by Christ our Redeemer; 
whereof He hath given assurance unto all men in that He 
hath raised Christ from the dead : ## whose voice in Love 
speaks, ' Watch,ft for ye know not what hour your Lord 

* 2 Thess. i. 7. f John v. 22. Acts xvii. 31. J Dan. vii. 13. 14. 
§ 2 Pet.iii.10. || Matt.xix. 28. f Matt.xxv. 34. 

** Acts xvii. 31. ft Mark xiv. 34. 37, 38. Matt. xxvi. 38. 40, 41. 



234 A VINDICATION OF 

doth come.' Looking for that blessed hope and the glori- 
ous appearance of the great God and our Saviour Jesus 
Christ, # looking for and hasting unto the coming of the 
day of God. f 

" On this hallowed day of Rest with these truths in 
glory now before you, I again invite those who may have 
rejected the SAVIOUR and his WORD ! to embrace in 
each the other: no longer offend the chief corner-stone that 
is in Zion laid : He is the Elect the Son of God and 
though by the builders disallowed is made the Head of 
the corner : If in his Word you have found a stone of 
stumbling it is now removed by the light that shines from 
Him whose Fountain fills with day : Your Questions 
answered, we see conviction strike, so will we pray that 
you may live and be among those who are called the chosen 
generation, the royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar 
people : J May you and I shew forth the praises of Him 
who calls man out of darkness into his marvellous light. 
And unto all we say, ' Watcb/§ for when the watchman 
sleeps or becomes drowned in sense : Satan takes posses- 
sion even as sudden as he did when Adam fell : Watch 
therefore seeing the enemy is ever nigh : So may we all in 
spirit watch and pray while waiting for the adoption, (i. e.) 
the Redemption of our body, || that at the Resurrection we 
may be with our Redeemer, breathing in his glory with the 
righteous Job, who in the future field rejoicing saw the glo- 
rious solemn scene, and looking to Christ in God for aid 
to support him in affliction's night, hear him calmly say, 
1 Not my will, O Merciful Father ! but thine be done !' 

* Titus ii. 13. f 2 Pet. iii. 12. % 1 Pet.ii. 9. 

§ Mark xiv. 34. 37, 38. || Rom. viii. 23. 



THE BOOK OF GENESIS. 235 



•' Returning to the garden of afflicted dust as dis- 
tinguished in the patient Job, renews impressions 
in the mental field, and guides our spirit's eye to 
contemplate one late departed, whose soul sum- 
moned to meet her God left the clay to drop into 
its bed, until man's Creator shall bid that dust 
arise ! he ; to memory dear, a friend, a neighbour, 
a revered Parent ; remembered is by those who, 
while his spirit calm hovered nigh, accompanied 
his cold Eden to the tomb : whose soul we trust, 
saved by grace, lives to praise the Hand that led 
him through affliction's refining fire, to cleanse 
him from the stain of sin, to deliver him from the 
sorrow of death, and raise him in God, to im- 
mortal life ! 

( Look, in yonder field we've passed ! See him 
with humble confidence building on the eternal 
Rock, not trusting in, or to, human kind, but 
leaving such, as the weakness that flits in the 
passing shadow, see him cheerful on Christ re- 
posing, in whom he found the sinner's Refuge ! 
seeking salvation through the atoning sacrifice ; 
loving Him in whom he trusted, knowing Jehovah 
was able, and that, with the infinite Love none but 
our heavenly Father can know, was, as He now 
is, waiting to save all who, obedient to his Spirit's 



236 A VINDICATION OF 

call, by Faith in his beloved Son, work out 
their salvation. Revering the name of Jesus, in 
whose mercy-flowing-fountain, he knew his soul 
must be cleansed from pollution's stain ere she 
could meet her God : see him delighted view the 
medium gate, through which sinners must pass 
to enter heaven, rejoicing that Jesus saith, those 
who come to God through him he will in no wise 
cast out. Consolation he drank when to his mind 
the text presented, wherein the Saviour saith, 
' Come unto Me all ye who labour and are heavy 
laden and I will give you Rest !' . . .In humble 
confidence and exalted thought ; in the Redeemer 
of the world his hope was fixed. Faith working 
in him was true and strong, though his Eden of 
earth more and more feeble yielded : Even while 
the hand of death gradually seized the body, see 
him breathing to ascend from earth's afflicted 
shadowed prison : his spirit her only Refuge 
seeking through Christ the sinner's friend ! Look- 
ing to Him who died to save he found his All ! in 
All ! ! ! The Creator knew 'twas well he should 
pass through the fire of affliction, that in mercy 
wounds to heal, preparing man to enjoy life with 
God I During his trial see him graciously brought 
more fully to know the Rock on whom his hope 
of Salvation rested : Consoling and delightful 'tis 
to see the departing, entertain as he did, humble, 
but superior views of that awaiting him beyond 
the valley o' the grave : these prospects continuing 
more and more to cheer his soul, gradually lifted him 
above the world, wherein he had suffered because 



THE BOOK OF GENESIS. 237 

of evil doers, who, in addition to the wrong 
against him and his by them committed, in 
secret concert with their aiders and abettors 
sought to render affliction's pangs more exquisite. 
. . . Borne above all, behold him full of holy- 
hope, living resigned to the Almighty will : Con- 
template him, a few hours before the spirit to her 
Refuge fled, in Communion with Jesus his 
Friend and God ! who waited to introduce him to 
the mansion of Bliss : in compassion that none but 
a Redeemer can know, in mercy's overflowing 
whispering to his ascending soul, * Thy sins are 
forgiven ! ' thou art acknowledged by me, rejoice 
therefore! at the Resurrection thy clay purified 
from the dross of death, shall awake to glory ! be- 
cause thou art come from the furnace of affliction 
cleansed and known by Him in whom thou hast 
trusted: and when thy Saviour shall appear in the 
glory of his Kingdom to judge the world, then shalt 
thou be with those I have chosen: rejoice! again I 
say rejoice! in that thou hadst faith to believe that 
the God in whom thou hast trusted is, able and will- 
ing, also, continually waiting to save! . . . See him 
then soft breathe a gentle sleep, while the spirit, 
by her guardian angel was, in celestial undulating 
whirlwind breeze ; conducted from earth to 
heaven ! 

' There a remain the body lay, 
The soul ascended, breathing day ! ' 

" Awake! ye inhabitants of dust, ye who desire 
to live with Christ; prepare to meet the heart- 
searching Eye of God ! — Consider, while time 



238 A VINDICATION OF 

with you is : that, under the creating Hand of Him 
who gives your breath, and takes it away ; you, 
guarded by his special Providence are placed on 
earth, here to remain for a season only : You ap- 
pear ; you bud ; you may blossom ; the arrow of 
death strikes ; the soul leaves the body ; you die ; 
to the maternal bed the dust returns; until the re- 
surrection! — You saw the fallen tree; whose spirit 
recent fled to meet in her Creator's Rest ! there 
to rejoin the soul of her, who, brought me forth : 
and, smiling a virtuous mother's love ! pure 
affection in prayer breathing, fed me from her 
bosom : Ah ! I knew her then, she bloomed a 
fruitful garden, holding communion wi' the Lord. 
Revering th' inspiring Word ! When ripe for 
Glory, like Fruit, she dropt! the soul ascended to 
her God ! But, seas between us roll'd ! A 
stranger I, tho' her favour'd yielding, to the falling 
o' the maternal tree ! I've heard, she thought, 
and spoke of me, with gladness ! in that thought 
was love! whose Fountain the Springs of Virtue 
yield ! All Virtue is of God ! And He being the 
source of Love ! she loved me, for her love in 
Him was rooted ! Yes ! she loved me, because 
she loved her God! But, could it be human 
love? No! 'Twas Virtue's pious affection, robed 
in light, breathing Love Divine ! . . . May you 
and I therein meet, blest in our Redeemer's smile, 
draped in Jehovah's glory !" 



THE BOOK OF GENESIS. 239 

" See, inhabitants of earth, the cold body is placed to 
await the great solemn day, when all must meet the just 
Judge of heaven: while time shall continue, it may be- 
come food for the harmless worms, and mingle again in 
instinctive creatures ; to breathe anew in earth : But the 
immortal soul being a spirit the eye of sense cannot see, 
an essence the hand of man cannot touch ; when called to 
leave her dust behind ; wings the way to another world : 
if redeemed by Grace, longing to meet in her mansion of 
bliss, the Almighty attracts her to be where her Glory is ! 
in the bosom of the Parent Spirit ! therein to enjoy the 
glories flowing from Elohim's smile, in his presence prais- 
ing her Redeemer ! When so it be, happy is the change 
experienced by those who depart to live with Jesus, 
through whom they are permitted to enter, and admitted 
to the Haven of Rest, in the holy Field of Heaven ! Re- 
joice we may, in fulness of joy, when contemplating the 
state of happy souls redeemed who are called to quit this 
earthly scene to live with, and in, Christ their Tree of Life 
and Brother in God ! 

" But returning, it also our duty is, to address a few 
words more to those who know not God ! who exist as 
though there was not another world whereinto the angel 
of salvation, or the angel of perdition; will conduct them 
when on earth their curtain drops. Think ye, who move 
strangers to yourselves and aliens to Helion's Christ who 
died to save ! that there is in your form of dust an immor- 
tal soul ! which must ascend to live with God ! or descend 

to exist in Satan's gulph, enduring eternal misery 

With these interesting, important scenes; living in and 
breathing through God's Word unto you : Forsake we 
beseech you the tree of knowledge of good and evil, and 
take of Jesus' Tree of Life, eat thereof and live for ever : 
Your merciful Creator has provided for your salvation : Go 
to him : Praise him for his holy Word : Pray that your 
faith in his Promises may be established that you may be 



240 A VINDICATION OF 

prepared to partake of those joys Immanuel dying 
bought for those, who faithful drink of the Streams of 
Life that on Moriah Mount, from the wounds inflicted by 
Satan's serpents, issued, and which continue to flow from 
the Redeemer's cleansing Fountain, bleeding life in light, 
to illumine the path, where Christians live in the 
smile of love divine ; enjoying their All in All ! — 
Think frail man, while reading what is herein written, that 
the writer of this volume, ere it be entertained by you, may 
be called to meet his God ! if not : Remember ! We, as 
the herb and flower of the garden, are but passive : our state 
here is transient, flitting as a shadow that passeth away : 
the plant, having drank in corruption, appears for a day, is 
affected by the wind, rain, and destroying insects, then, 
scorched by the sun, withers and dies. The flower springs 
in beauty forth, to bud, to bloom, to fade, and, soon fall- 
ing, sinks again into the maternal bed. A shadow flits 
before us, the object that reflected it passed 'tis gone : 
Even so, the visible form of man ! We appear, we pass, 
and the place that knew us forgets we were. Thus 
it is, beloved reader, with you and I, and all mankind ! 
Our tower may appear built high ; the torch of animal life 
in vigour panting burning strong, all around may smile : 
So may Virtue in the female tree warm us with beauty 
showering the smiles of heaven-born loveliness, hoping, an- 
ticipating a long security : But, how oft we hear the knell, 
that proclaims a soul departed ! a spirit called from earth 
to be with God : or to dwell in endless misery, where the 
worm of anguish never dies : Tho' solemn the sound, and 
piercing the thought ; the pulses of matter ceasing to beat, 
speaks the soul has fled to her eternal home ! Let these 
thoughts increase our fervour in prayer that we, by the 
Holy Ghost the Comforter, may be guided into all truth, 
and live by the sun-shine of Jesus' love while in the field 
of time and so be prepared to meet him whenever the 
summon is. See pitying Love from Jesus flowing inviting 



THE BOOK OF GENESIS. 241 

the dead to live ! and pray that Jehovah, in mercy, love 
and purifying fire, may deign to visit those who are 
yet in Satan's slavery, running to, and moving in the 
bonds of death. May the sword, in flame of life, chase 
the serpent spirit : In conviction's might let conversion's 
light, awaken the slumbering soul, to feel alarm in shadow's 
wretchedness : Be pleased holy Omnipotent ! to work in 
lukewarm sinners, that all may hasten to make their 
peace with Thee, the Lord of All! — Come ye who seek 
Him : Bring your grateful offerings of prayer and praise 
to save an immortal soul committed to your thought : Come 
wandering sinners seek your Saviour's intercession with 
the Almighty Father for you, that you may Jive with Him. 
Think, immortal soul, thou art blest with a reasoning 
faculty ! Look around and feel that the air you breathe 
is impregnated by the Serpent's emitted poison and hover- 
ing in sin ; wherein the darts of death are ready, waiting 
divine permission, to send forth the arrow ; that bids the 
soul meet the just Judge of heaven : The shaft you see has 
gone, the arrow has pierced, the spirit has left her form of 
dust; to stand before Jehovah ! See ! ' Now is the accepted 
time, now is the day of salvation :' May the day of salva- 
tion dawn into your soul ere again you sleep, ere the cloud 
of darkness in death again o'ershadow you : Escape from 
hell if you desire to win Christ, now your Creator! your 
Redeemer ! your Refuge ! is waiting to be gracious, so may 
you be reconciled to the j ustly offended merciful God ! 
Come, sinner, linger no longer in shadow, Christ has 
marked the path to salvation, and now illumines the way, 
from your soul beyond affliction and the vale of death ; to 
life and immortality ! Through that way we all must pass, 
ere we can enter the celestial gate that opens to the re- 
deemed departed christian spirit, receiving her to bathe in 
the Ocean of Life that blossoms in the Tree whose glory is 
the Paradise of God, and the Fountain of Elohim the King 
of heaven ! 



242 A VINDICATION OF 

" Prepare ye souls to meet Him : in prayer ask God your 
Maker to illumine within you his lamp of life, and guide you 
iii the righteous Path. Remember ' Though Noah, Daniel? 
and Job were in it, they would but deliver their own souls 
by their Righteousness, thus saith the Lord God !' # . . . 
Even as the Righteous Job, ' You, will see God for your- 
self, and your eyes shall behold, and not another, though 
your reins be consumed within you,' i. e. As your tree 
falleth so must it lie, and so must you appear before Him 
your Judge ! Whether your spirit be rejoicing in his glory: 
or enduring the gnawing of the worm that is ever consum- 
ing, that never can consume. Do not then, if you wish to 
live in God, (Jo not tarry longer in the unholy clouded 
cavern. Come, enter the Saviour's light, procrastinate not, 
delay not till the morrow, for should He whom all crea- 
tion obey, say, ' Sinner, this night, thy soul is required of 
thee ! ' Think ye, what would be your misery were the 
holy Fiat now to go forth, and go to Jesus who died for 
sinners such as you. He now is interceding for you, He 
invites you to come to him without money, without price : 
He in mercy is waiting to relieve the poor, to illumine the 
dark, and to feed the thirsting wounded sin- sick-soul with 
the life restoring cordial of his Love ! Know, that God 
and his guardian angels with parental love, and fraternal 
anxiety continually watch over you : having provided : He 
now wishes every poor hungering sinner to come and take 
the riches of his Father's kingdom, without money and 
without price ; your Saviour asks you to come and feed at 
the table of Life : where he the Redeemer presides, invit- 
ing the burdened traveller to lay down his load at the foot 
of the Cross, and drink freedom's draught of Life, that 
putting forth his hand and taking of the living tree, man 
may again be clothed in th' immortal robe of Glory ! 

" Despair not ye who desire to know the Lord : Pray 
unto him that in mercy he may cause his Spirit sword to 

* Ezek. xiv. 14. 20. 



THE BOOK OF GENESIS. 243 

chase the tyrant sin that shadows your soul : he is Omni- 
potent ever ! he is Omniscient ! he knows your condition, 
and has provided for your need: he is Omnipresent! always 
with you : and infinite in mercy to all who forsake sin and 
turn unto him, to as many as by faith in his beloved Son 
in the spirit of humility approach the throne of Grace, 
where his redeeming Fountain flows to cleanse the sin- 
afflicted soul, and give the Comforter therein to reign 
guiding God's child to the Paradise of Rest ! . . . Listen 
to the still small solemn voice of Love : He in the guiding 
star saith, e Come ! Behold the way ! repent and live ! 
come from shadowed night, entertain the exalting thought 
which to the mind brings day: hearken to the saving moni- 
tor that attending speaks within. His sword shall chase 
the cloud of sin that veils your soul in death. He will 
open your mental eye that she may see the spirit guide 
living there, to conduct you on the heavenly way. Come 
out from Satan's dwelling, embrace the luminary I have 
given to promote your peace while on earth and lead you 
into my Father's kingdom where your bliss shall mingle 
with the happiness celestial spirits know, in their Creator's 
bosom Fountain !' 

" Ere to the volume the period I mark : Let me address 
one word more to those who yet may be unprepared to 
meet the Creator in their Judge ! and first to you, 
whom may God's Holy Spirit more and more illumine 
to feel the truths you now acknowledge to be sacred, as 
from the Lord proceeding ! . . . 

" To those who yet slumbering waver, we say, 'Awake ! 
Arise! from your fancied dream of security : look around : 
see the contaminating influence of sin afflicting the earth ; 
deforming the creature man ; chasing the drapery divine 
from the figure of him who once lived in the image of 
God ! Think how oft the baneful poison impregnates the 
air, carrying pestilence unto our fellow men : Reflect, ye 
who have not made your peace with the sinner's Friend ! 



244 A VINDICATION OF 

Where would your portion be were the Almighty to bid his 
thunder in the piercing arrow strike the body and summon 
the soul to his Presence ! thence to sink in misery eter- 
nal :-..., Cease then unbelievers, mockers, sinners, to 
presume on and trifle with the long-suffering of your holy 
Creator and righteous Judge ! whose mercy has hitherto 
spared you : no longer continue provoking his wrath : re- 
member, He who cannot lie hath said, ' that his Spirit 
shall not always strive with man:'* Go unto Him through 
Jesus Christ his beloved Son : in spirit and in truth pray, 
< Lord of heaven and earth, my Saviour and my God ! I 
beseech Thee ! Be merciful to me a sinner !'.... In 
the name of Him who bled and died to purchase immortal 
life for you, we intreat ye seek to know more and more 
of the Saviour's love : Ye, of every rank, high and low, 
proud and humble ; for, you are rich in the choicest trea- 
sures heaven bestows only when you serve the Lord Jeho- 
vah ! If God is your God ! then your bliss is crowned : 
But, if you know Him not, you are poor indeed, and 
wandering in the soul deceiving shade that attracts to 
engulph in the dungeon of despair, where serpent-sin in 
Satan reigns : Permit not lukewarm or cold indifference to 
lull you from seeking the relief provided in the Saviour's 
soul-redeeming Fountain : Your Creator's door is open ! 
Jesus waits to receive you there, to present you in his 
glory. ... If you feel your need of Christ's cleansing 
blood, and resolve to live obedient to his voice of Love ! 
Despair not, for words of comfort to you we speak : Jesus 
saith, ' Come ! repent ye sons and daughters of Adam :' 
soon the dart of death may strike you, it then will be too 
late : there is no repentance in the grave : as the tree 
falleth so must it lie, until the solemn resurrection : take 
therefore of the Tree of Life, while Time is : die to sin and 
death : live to Christ in God ! that at the last day you 
may be with those whom He shall call his own ! But, 

* Gen. vi. 3. 



THE BOOK OF GENESIS. 245 

haste ! the moments are precious ; time is swiftly passing : 
your glass may be nearly run out, a few grains only re- 
main to pass : Death will soon present, when, your spirit 
must cross the vale, to be in the glory of your Maker's smile ; 
or to know the pang his frown inflicts to the accusing 
conscience in the dying pang that never dies. ... Be di- 
ligent while 'tis day to make your peace with God ! whose 
Love (that you may repent) spares you yet : seek now the 
glorious diadem ! with which the accepted repentant sin- 
ner is crowned ! . . . . Think ! that, unless you are re- 
conciled to God while in flesh and blood ; when the trum- 
pet to Judgment sounds, then will your sorrowing, con- 
scious, guilty soul, as the silence of darkness tremble in 
sin's hideous deformity : she then an immortal spirit must 
appear before the righteous Judge ! though his Justice 
holy frowning shall fan the flames which agony yields ! 
rendering more exquisite the gnawings of the worm that 
to all Eternity feeds in the conscious sinner's torments : 
Would you escape eternal misery? Surely you answer, 
Yes ! Then seek the Lord, through Jesus, his beloved 
Son. Make your peace with Him ! Be ye reconciled, 
that you may have part in the first Resurrection and re- 
ceive the Righteous Crown of Glory ! that is for the 
faithful conqueror, in the gift of Christ the Redeemer! 
issuing from the Fountain of living waters ! branching in 
the heaven of heavens shooting from the holy Vine ! flow- 
ing in the Trinity ! 

" You Christians who commune with your heavenly 
Father through Faith in Christ his Son the Saviour of the 
world ! You, who enjoy the life breathing influence of 
the Holy Spirit that unveils heaven and eternity to your 
view, guiding you to contemplate the Trinity in Unity 
and to adore the Blessed Unity in Trinity : You, whose 
grateful soul can read the Holy Ghost the Comforter's 
influence, whispering in Jesus' dying yet ever living Love 
inviting you to press forward, to rise higher and higher in 



246 A VINDICATION OF 

the Breath of life ! You, who can calmly view the 
glory of your Creator in Creation's works and praise the 
Hand divine, to whose immortalizing Tree ! you sacred 
Devotion pay : You, who by living in the glory of that 
tree are lifted to look beyond this terrestrial scene adorning 
ImmanuePs Fountain, thence moving to Jehovah ! the 
Father of your spirit-lamp ! the Source whence all your 
pleasures spring ! ... to You, We say, continue in well- 
doing, prove constant, pursue your path, even let your 
zeal increase : Your labour is not in vain : Be ye stead- 
fast : God whom you serve is Lord of All ! your reward is 
sure. He will feed your torch of Life in his perennial 
flow, giving Christian courage, illumining the celestial 
Path that guides into the spiritual Field where with 
guardian Angels; you may move among the glorious 
orbs that living adorn the ethereal Bosom, where breathe 
the purer joys of bliss, around the Throne of nature's 
God ! ! ! 

et Pursue your heavenly way : advance to Zion's hill ; 
now the Saviour invites; the Comforter he has sent; to 
support and refresh you on the way : tho' the storms of 
time assail : tho' trying waves may roll : God will not 
permit Satan's flood to o'erwhelm your faithful bark i 
afflictions may grievous be, as were those of the patient, 
constant Job, but, if with humble faith, and pious resigna- 
tion, you grateful trust in Him blessing the chastening rod, 
that refines your form of dust by soul regenerating fire ; 
at the moment his Providence knows best He'll deliver 
you, and receive you unto himself: thus reconciled to 
Eden earth, your spirit, leaving her body below, will ascend 
to be with Christ ! 

" The sting of death was not felt by him who late 
departed, neither will it be by you, if prepared for heaven, 
but welcome will be the summon to leave when the 
herald of life shall call your soul to enter immortal day, 



THE BOOK OF GENESIS. 247 

the transit will her glory meet in the Redeemer's smile 
that attracts beyond the stream of death to give eternal 
life ! . . . The dust you leave in earth God's love will 
guard, and though after your skin worms destroy your 
body yet in your flesh shall you see God ; even for your- 
self will your eyes behold Him ; and the joy none can 
take from you. Filled with his effluence, commensurate to 
the capacity of your soul : a glory none but God can mea- 
sure you will receive from Him who is faithful and 
true, who saith I am ! ALPHA ! and OMEGA ! the 
beginning and the END : from him you shall receive the re- 
ward of your labours : and as the Elect of the ever blessed 
Trinity ! shine effulgent robed in Light ! Having these 
glorious prospects in view, employ your means to promote 
your Maker's glory ! then ; When Jehovah may send his 
Spirit down, to swear by Him that liveth for ever and ever 
that time shall be no longer : when the redeemed in 
calm may view the earth embraced by the refining element, 
hear the sighings of nature's throes, and the groans of an 
expiring world awaken in the mind holy fear crowned 
with divine solemnity : tho' the wicked remain to endure 
eternal torment, clothed in shadowing pangs of the ser- 
pent's sting ; ye ransomed shall escape, and be with Jesus 
your Redeemer ! when to judge the world in righteousness 
your Lord will appear, in the Word, Creator! who formed 
man of dust and breathed within the breath of lives giving 
divine impression that distinguished him a living soul . . . 
So will the dust of bodies fallen re-unite although the 
parts dispersed, divided, and subdivided, be embedded in 
earth's bosom exposed to glitter in the sun-beam-shower, 
or to whisper in the breeze ! at that great, solemn, holy day : 
as the trumpet sounds ! the quickened soul will exalted 
rise to sing the victor's song of triumph ! and the sacred dust 
of Life awake ! — Christ the first fruits of them that sleep is 
risen ! the Resurrection and the Life ! With his angels 

u 



248 A VINDICATION OF 

he will appear, and, the redeemed will meet Him ! when 
He the Root the offspring of David cometh, the bright and 
morning star ! the sun of Righteousness who arose the 
first from the dead bringing Life and immortality to light ! 
Unto Him come while the Spirit and the Bride say come 
take freely of living water : Put forth thy hand and take 
of the Tree of Life and eat and live for ever : Return no 
more to the impure tree the source of knowledge of good 
and evil ; but eat of that wherein holiness abounds, even 
of the immortal tree, whose branches Christ's redeemed 
are. Receive the Law as inspired by your Creator God ! 
and with his Gospel both embrace, neither add unto nor 
take from, them, for therein is the word of Life : Honour 
your redeeming Saviour in whose immediate Presence at 
the great and terrible Day of the Lord ! Adam and his 
Offsprings will appear ! Then may you and I, if gone be- 
fore, having slept in his embrace, awake to the first Resur- 
rection, with righteous Job and the spirits of the just 
clothed in the Saviour's Righteousness ; heirs through him 
of bliss supreme : clad in redeeming Grace, may we rejoic- 
ing see those on earth at his coming changed, to meet their 
Lord in Glory ! Then, Behold ! from the Tombs, spirit- 
ualized dust ascend, veiled within undulating whirlwind 
cloud, to receive the essence man ! while hovering around, 
aurora celestial zephyrs breathing, shall embosom the 
soul, in a redeemed Creation ! to shine as the stars illu- 
mined by the spiritualizing Sun, whose Source is in the 
eternal Tree ; the triune God ! Jehovah ! who'll feed his 
branches with immortal fruit to be with Him, fof ever, 
and ever : Christ the Word, thus new creating will with 
glory seal his heaven elected saints, they, having proved 
faithful unto death to win the crown of Life, will with con- 
quering angels reign, in regions of Almighty Love ; breath- 
ing in the Tree of Life ! whence flows living water, to re- 
new the soul of man : of this Tree all must take, of this 



THE BOOK OF GENESIS. *** 

Water all must drink, ere they can live with Alpha! and 

Omeoa! the First and Last! who testifying these things 

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